Bill Bryson turns his attention to the English language that he uses to such great effect, its history, development, spread and usage. He mines a vast volume of other people’s research and picks out the tasty titbits for easy and entertaining consumption.
He covers how words originated and points out that many basic terms in widely different languages can be traced back to a common root. The links between speaking, pronunciation, writing, and printing are explored as language becomes formalised, regulated, subverted, and adapted by turn.
Having covered the basics of language he focuses on English and how it has become used, and misused, as a global means of communication. There are reasons for its popularity; despite its inconsistencies it has a simplicity and adaptability not found in many other tongues.
The subject is a
gift for Bryson’s ability to combine jaw-dropping facts with well-chosen
absurdities. The result is not a scholarly work but a riot of factoids and
anecdotes, any page of which would provide enough material for erudite dinner
party small talk or amusing pub group trivia.
No comments:
Post a Comment