![]() A quick search through reviews found similar comments, especially from foreign language speakers regarding his presentation of their idioms.Read this book for an entertaining overview of the English language by a passionate linguaphile, but do not rely on it for your essays. In particular, "cobber" was archaic even in the 1980s, and Australians definitely do not use "cookie" (in the US sense) to mean "biscuit" (in the UK sense) although we would describe cookies as a kind of biscuit. ![]() You’ll learn how, thanks to its flexibility and adaptability, English has endured and flourished, despite centuries of invasions, uprisings and censorship. He also provides an extensive bibliography that might provide a good starting point for enthusiastic readers.I would have given this book a higher rating if it were not for doubts about its accuracy: I am not an English language expert but I found his examples of Australian usage to be doubtful in places. The Mother Tongue (1990) provides a unique and personal look at the history of the English language. A delightful romp through the history of our language. ![]() This book is simply fascinating because its topic is something we use and experience every day- English, our mother tongue. ![]() Bryson covers a wide range of topics ranging from the origins of language, the development of English from various invaders' languages, the role of English in the modern world, to swearing, and word games. Typical of Bill Brysons books, The Mother Tongue combines the history of the English language plus tidbits of information presented in a witty way. ![]() A funny and entertaining look at the English Language. ![]()
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