Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue : The Untold History of English

A survey of the quirks and quandaries of the English language, focusing on our strange and wonderful grammar Why do we say “I am reading a catalog” instead of “I read a catalog”? Why do we say “do” at all? Is the way we speak a reflection of our cultural values? Delving into these provocative topics and more, Our Magnificent Bastard Language distills hundreds of years of fascinating lore into one lively history. Covering such turning points as the little-known Celtic and Welsh influences on English, the impact of the Viking raids and the Norman Conquest, and the Germanic invasions that started it all during the fifth century ad, John McWhorter narrates this colorful evolution with vigor. Drawing on revolutionary genetic and linguistic research as well as a cache of remarkable trivia about the origins of English words and syntax patterns, Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue ultimately demonstrates the arbitrary, maddening nature of English— and its ironic simplicity due to its role as a streamlined lingua franca during the early formation of Britain. This is the book that language aficionados worldwide have been waiting for (and no, it’s not a sin to end a sentence with a preposition). ** From Publishers Weekly This evolutionary history of the English language from author and editor McWhorter (The Power of Babel: A Natural History of Language) isn't an easy read, but those fascinated by words and grammar will find it informative, provocative and even invigorating. McWhorter's history takes on some old mysteries and widely-believed theories, mounting a solid argument for the Celtic influence on English language that literary research has for years dismissed; he also patiently explains such drastic changes as the shift from Old English to Middle English (the differences between written and spoken language explain a lot). Those who have learned English as a second language will recognize McWhorter's assertion that "English really is easy(-ish) at first and hard later"; for that, he says, we can "blame... the Danish and Scandinavian" influence. McWhorter further proves his bona fides with deft analogies, like a comparison between the evolution of English and popping a wheelie on a bicycle; he also debunks, handily, the popular notion that "a language's grammar and the way its words pattern reflect aspects of its speakers' culture and the way they think." McWhorter's iconoclastic impulses and refreshing enthusiasm makes this worth a look for anyone with a love for the language. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. About the Author John McWhorter is the author of The Power of Babel and numerous other acclaimed books, most recently All About the Beat: Why Hip-Hop CanÂ’t Save Black America (Gotham Books, 2008). A senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a contributing editor to The New Republic , he has taught linguistics at the University of California at Berkeley and has been widely profiled in the media. Language Arts & Disciplines,Linguistics,Etymology

a Survey Of The Quirks And Quandaries Of The English Language, Focusing On Our Strange And Wonderful Grammar

why Do We Say “i Am Reading A Catalog” Instead Of “i Read A Catalog”? Why Do We Say “do” At All? Is The Way We Speak A Reflection Of Our Cultural Values? Delving Into These Provocative Topics And More, our Magnificent Bastard Language Distills Hundreds Of Years Of Fascinating Lore Into One Lively History.

covering Such Turning Points As The Little-known Celtic And Welsh Influences On English, The Impact Of The Viking Raids And The Norman Conquest, And The Germanic Invasions That Started It All During The Fifth Century Ad, John Mcwhorter Narrates This Colorful Evolution With Vigor. Drawing On Revolutionary Genetic And Linguistic Research As Well As A Cache Of Remarkable Trivia About The Origins Of English Words And Syntax Patterns, our Magnificent Bastard Tongue Ultimately Demonstrates The Arbitrary, Maddening Nature Of English— And Its Ironic Simplicity Due To Its Role As A Streamlined Lingua Franca During The Early Formation Of Britain. This Is The Book That Language Aficionados Worldwide Have Been Waiting For (and No, It's Not A Sin To End A Sentence With A Preposition).

the New York Times - Ammon Shea

…brief And Engaging…refreshingly, This Book Is Neither A Dry Examination Of Academic Minutiae Nor An Excessively Simplified History. Mcwhorter's Book Is A Welcome Change From The Sort Of Scholarly Book In Which The Foundation Of An Idea Seems Often To Be Built On The Corpses Of The Author's Enemies…a Pleasingly Dissenting View—one That Wears Its Erudition Lightly.

Why do we say "I am reading a catalog" instead of "I read a catalog"? Why do we say "do" at all? Is the way we speak a reflection of our cultural values? Delving into these provocative topics and more, Our Magnificent Bastard Language distills hundreds of years of fascinating lore into one lively history. In this trim volume of linguistic history, respected scholar John McWhorter focuses on underappreciated influences on the peculiar development of the English language: For instance, many of the English's strange grammar ticks can be traced to Celtic and Welch origins, which makes sense given the languages' longtime geographic proximity. Another important factor involves the Vikings. When the Scandinavian sailors came over to the Isles, they took up English as a second language, pruning it of many of its convolutions -- it was, after all, a functional tongue for them. This resulted in English evolving as a grammatically far simpler language than other Germanic languages. In the process of this fascinating historical excavation, McWhorter debunks many contemporary grammatical conventions, doing all this in a style that makes for an informative but unusually enjoyable read. - Publisher. Why Do We Say I Am Reading A Catalog Instead Of I Read A Catalog? Why Do We Say Do At All? Is The Way We Speak A Reflection Of Our Cultural Values? Delving Into These Provocative Topics And More, Author Mcwhorter Distills Hundreds Of Years Of Lore Into One Lively History. Covering The Little-known Celtic And Welsh Influences On English, The Impact Of The Viking Raids And The Norman Conquest, And The Germanic Invasions That Started It All During The Fifth Century Ad, And Drawing On Genetic And Linguistic Research As Well As A Cache Of Trivia About The Origins Of English Words And Syntax Patterns, Mcwhorter Ultimately Demonstrates The Arbitrary, Maddening Nature Of English--and Its Ironic Simplicity, Due To Its Role As A Streamlined Lingua Franca During The Early Formation Of Britain. This Is The Book That Language Aficionados Have Been Waiting For.--from Publisher Description. We Speak A Miscegenated Grammar -- A Lesson From The Celtic Impact -- We Speak A Battered Grammar -- Does Our Grammar Channel Our Thought? -- Skeletons In The Closet. John Mcwhorter. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 199-211) And Index. Why do we say "I am reading a catalog" instead of "I read a catalog"? Why do we say "do" at all? Is the way we speak a reflection of our cultural values? Delving into these provocative topics and more, author McWhorter distills hundreds of years of lore into one lively history. Covering the little-known Celtic and Welsh influences on English, the impact of the Viking raids and the Norman Conquest, and the Germanic invasions that started it all during the fifth century AD, and drawing on genetic and linguistic research as well as a cache of trivia about the origins of English words and syntax patterns, McWhorter ultimately demonstrates the arbitrary, maddening nature of English--and its ironic simplicity, due to its role as a streamlined lingua franca during the early formation of Britain. This is the book that language aficionados have been waiting for.-- Información editorial