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Mother tongue the English language Bill Bryson.

By: Material type: TextTextPublication details: London [u.a.] Penguin Books 1991Description: 269 PagesISBN:
  • 014014305X
  • 9780140143058
Subject(s): LOC classification:
  • PE1072 B79 1991
Other classification:
  • HE 100
  • HE 130
Summary: How did English, 'treated for centuries as the inadequate and second-rate tongue of peasants' become the undisputed global language? How did words like shampoo, sofa and rowdy (and others drawn from over fifty languages) find their way into our dictionary? In this revealing and often hilarious book, Bill Bryson examines the mother tongue and explores the countless varieties of English and the perils of marketing brands with names like Pschitt and Super Piss. With entertaining sections on the oddities of swearing and spelling, spoonerisms and Scrabble, and a consideration of what we mean by 'good English', "Mother Tongue" is one of the most stimulating books yet written on this endlessly engrossing subject.
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Item type Current library Call number Status Barcode
Books Books Executive Office - 2nd Floor General Collection 420.9 BR.M 1991 (Browse shelf(Opens below)) Not For Loan 0003830

How did English, 'treated for centuries as the inadequate and second-rate tongue of peasants' become the undisputed global language? How did words like shampoo, sofa and rowdy (and others drawn from over fifty languages) find their way into our dictionary? In this revealing and often hilarious book, Bill Bryson examines the mother tongue and explores the countless varieties of English and the perils of marketing brands with names like Pschitt and Super Piss. With entertaining sections on the oddities of swearing and spelling, spoonerisms and Scrabble, and a consideration of what we mean by 'good English', "Mother Tongue" is one of the most stimulating books yet written on this endlessly engrossing subject.

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