\"Writing.Com
*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
Printed from https://writing.com/main/product_reviews/pr_id/114218-The-Mother-Tongue---English-And-How-It-Got-That-Way
ASIN: 0380715430
ID #114218
Product Type: Book
Reviewer: Cat Voleur Author Icon
Review Rated:
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
Product Rating:
  Author's Writing Style:
  Length of Book:
  Usefulness:
  Overall Quality:
Summary of this Book...
It's pretty much right there in the title, this book is filled with facts and anecdotes about the English language - where our words come from and why sometimes our spelling makes no sense.
This type of Book is good for...
It's a great book for understanding, appreciating, and sometimes hating English.
I especially liked...
Learning about the difference in language structure between English and some of the many, many examples. It's something you have to think about a lot when taking a foreign language class, but never had I thought about it with so much variety or in such an entertaining way.
I didn't like...
How frustrated I got.

There are some things in English that just don't make sense, and learning about the idiotic events leading up to these insane inconsistencies was more than a little frustrating.
When I finished reading this Book I wanted to...
Cry.

I don't think I've ever been as frustrated at my mother tongue as I was reading this book and it made all of the time I've spent trying to learn to speak 'proper' English seem sort of silly to a degree, because no one can agree on what is proper and the language is constantly evolving.
This Book made me feel...
Grateful. Frustrated that the language I speak is so inconsistent and temperamental, but also incredibly grateful that I don't have to learn it as a second language.
The author of this Book...
Did a great job tackled a daunting and complex subject in a great way. I'm really looking forward to reading more of his nonfiction.
I recommend this Book because...
It's approachable, entertaining and educational.
Created Jul 14, 2019 at 4:58pm • Submit your own review...

You Could Send Gift Points, But You Don't Have Any Gift Points To Send!
Remember, Gift Points say more than words & encourage Authors to "Write On!". If you need more information on Writing.Com Gift Points and their function, please read: Gift Points Information

Important: All emails are logged! Harassment of other members, by any means within Writing.Com is strictly prohibited, will not be tolerated and may result in account termination.

Printed from https://writing.com/main/product_reviews/pr_id/114218-The-Mother-Tongue---English-And-How-It-Got-That-Way