Bill brysons first travel book, the lost continent, was unanimously acclaimed as one of the funniest books in years. Jun 02, 2015 bill bryson s bestselling books include one summer, a short history of nearly everything, at home, a walk in the woods, neither here nor there, made in america, and the mother tongue. A short history of nearly everything is one of the best popular science book ever written. The mother tongue the mother tongue audiobook, by bill bryson. Oct 23, 2001 i bought this book as im a fan of bill bryson s writing and i find language an interesting subject. English and how it got that way, bill bryson guides us through the complicated history of the english language to figure out why it is the way it is. The mother tongue english and how it got that way bryson, bill on. He has worked for a number of newspapers, including the times and the independent. Bill bryson is the bestselling author of at home, a walk in the woods, the lost continent, made in america, the mother tongue, and a short history of nearly everything, winner of the aventis prize. The mother tongue isbn 0380715430 is a book by bill bryson which compiles the history and origins of the english language and its various quirks. The main characters of this non fiction, history story are. From the first descent of the larynx into the throat why you can talk but your dog. After nearly 2 decades in britain, bill bryson, the acclaimed author of such best sellers as the mother tongue, made in america, and a walk in the woods, decided it was time to move back to the united states for a while.
It is riddled with mistakes and inappropriate examples about various languages. The mother tongue is a book by bill bryson which wittily compiles the history and origins of the english language and the languages various quirks. English, like spanish and portuguese, is a language that has two closely linked forms, one in the old world, one in the new. His books on the english language include mother tongue and troublesome words, both published by penguin. English and how it got that way the mother tongue written. From the first descent of the larynx into the throat why you can talk but your dog cant to the fine lost art of swearing, bryson tells the fascinating, often uproarious story of. In late summer, they met to discuss bill brysons the mother tongue william morrow, 1990, a funfactpacked, boisterous embrace of the english language and its history. A guide to bill brysons best books blinkist magazine. Listen to the mother tongue english and how it got that way by bill bryson available from rakuten kobo. Another travel book, a walk in the woods, has become a major film starring robert redford, nick nolte and emma thompson. No selfrespecting english speaker should open his mouth without reading it.
Born in des moines, iowa, bryson lives in england with his wife and children. His new number one sunday times bestseller is the road to little dribbling more notes from a small island. Bill bryson covers language its self with a focus on english. Oct 01, 2009 bill bryson was born in des moines, iowa, and grew up there, but has spent most of his adult life in britain. Bill bryson is the best selling author of several humorous and informative books on travel with well written guides to such disparate locales as australia, africa, europe, and many sections of the united states. Bill brysons bestselling books include one summer, a short history of nearly everything, at home, a walk in the woods, neither here nor there, made in america, and the mother tongue. Are bill brysons books a short history of nearly everything. Too bad even bill bryson couldnt make this terribly entertaining. Who would have thought that a book about english would be so entertaining. The mother tongue chapter 5 where words come from summary. Bill bryson s bestselling books include one summer, a short history of nearly everything, at home, a walk in the woods, neither here nor there, made in america, and the mother tongue. The first edition of the novel was published in 1990, and was written by bill bryson. Mother tongue was published by penguin books in 1990, the third book in bill brysons short ish history of book writing.
With dazzling wit and astonishing insight, bill brysonthe acc. Includes bibliographical references published by arrangement with william morrow and company, inc the worlds language the dawn of language global language the first thousand years where words come from pronunciation varieties of english spelling good english and bad order out of chaos old world, new world english as a world language names swearing. American expatriate to britain bryson proves a witty and knowing guide here, with scarcely a trace of the sneer that spoiled his popular tour of smalltown america, the lost continent 1989. Bill bryson is the new york times bestselling author of at home, a walk in the woods, the lost continent, made in america, the mother tongue, a short history of nearly everything winner of the aventis prizeand various other works. Dec 15, 2015 with dazzling wit and astonishing insight, bill brysonthe acclaimed author of the lost continentbrilliantly explores the remarkable history, eccentricities, resilience and sheer fun of the english language. In examining how a secondrate, mongrel tongue came to be the undisputed language of the globe. Bryson s statements in the book, language is more fashion than science. With dazzling wit and astonishing insight, bill brysonthe acclaimed author of the lost continentbrilliantly explores the remarkable history, eccentrici. His books on the english language include mother tongue and troublesome words, both published by penguin bill bryson is the author of several bestsellers including the lost continent. Born in des moines, iowa, he now lives in england, where he has worked for both the times and independent and written for most other major british and american. Bill bryson is an american journalist who has lived for long periods in england, which means that he is in a good position to write a book about english that takes account of both versions and the subtle and notsosubtle differences between them, which is what he has.
From the first descent of the larynx into the throat why you can talk but your dog cant, to the fine lost art of swearing, bryson tells the fascinating, often uproarious story of. The book discusses the indoeuropean origins of english, the growing status of english as a global language, the complex etymology of english words. Its the sort of book that fills your head with all sorts of random trivia that must be shared at the next watercooler conversation or over ones next meal. Bill brysons book mother tongue has an admirable goal, to present the evolution and current state of the english language in a simple and intriguing fashion.
The thing to remember is hes not a scientist, but he is an amazing researcher. Book club genres all book club genres sorting by best selling this month book lists. Mother tongue was published by penguin books in 1990, the third book in bill bryson s short ish history of book writing. Bill bryson was born in des moines, iowa, and grew up there, but has spent most of his adult life in britain. The book discusses the indoeuropean origins of english, the growing status of english as a global language, the complex etymology of english. Quicklet on bill brysons the mother tongue english and. A merry and bright baedeker to the english language, its history, character, and probable future. Originally posted by bill bryson in the mother tongue, p. Bill brysons mother tongueis a hymn to the english language. Bill bryson is the new york times bestselling author of at home, a walk in the woods, the lost continent, made in america,the mother tongue, a short history of nearly everything winner of the aventis prize and various other works. All the things i knew in the book, i didnt notice any errors. English and how it got that way the mother tongue by bill bryson the mother tongue 1990 provides a unique and personal look at the history of the english language. Bill bryson audio books bill bryson is the new york times bestselling author of at home, a walk in the woods, the lost continent, made in america, the mother tongue, a short history of nearly everything winner of the aventis prizeand various other works.
Browse audiobooks written by bill bryson sorted by best. Probably better known for his travel books, bryson has also written three books about the english language, mother tongue being the first. Its all about how english came to be the way it is and why its one of the most used languages. The mother tongue english and how it got that way by bryson, bill. Oct 14, 2009 in late summer, they met to discuss bill brysons the mother tongue william morrow, 1990, a funfactpacked, boisterous embrace of the english language and its history. Born in des moines, iowa, he now lives in england with his wife and children. If you find the tape version, you will want to play the tape over again as it cruses through many concepts that leave you thinking and speculating how it. With dazzling wit and astonishing insight, bill brysonthe acclaimed author of the lost continentbrilliantly explores the remarkable history, eccentricities, resilience and sheer fun of the english language. I have read many of his books, and one of my all time favourites is a short history. Here you will find interviews, book trailers and extra content related to the bestselling author and his b. Bill bryson s book mother tongue has an admirable goal, to present the evolution and current state of the english language in a simple and intriguing fashion. Everyone has his say about bill brysons the mother tongue.
Bill bryson narrated audio books at simply audiobooks. Its an interesting journey, part thesis and part pop science, that explains the most significant events in the development of the english language with lots of useful tidbits. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile. When it comes to his audio books most of which he reads himself be prepared for a great time as bryson guides you through some of the most interesting places in the world. Bryson explores english from america to australia and looks at, among other things, swearing, spelling, spoonerisms and scrabble. Unfortunately, its not about english english, but american english. Bill bryson is the new york times bestselling author of at home, a walk in the woods, the lost continent, made in america, the mother tongue, a short history of nearly everythingwinner of the aventis prizeand various other works. I was frequently laughing outloud while reading the mother tongue not to mention muttering words under my breath to hear the pronunciation points that bryson was making. English and how it got that way audiobook by bill bryson.
The book covers speech from a historical view, a physical view, an environmental view, a utilitarian view, and many other views. Youll learn how, thanks to its flexibility and adaptability, english has endured and flourished, despite centuries of. Instead, a gentle humor, enamored of oddities, warms his discussion of the origins of english, its. With dazzling wit and astonishing insight, bill bryson the acclaimed author of the lost continent brilliantly explores the remarkable history, eccentricities, resilience, and sheer fun of the english language. From the first descent of the larynx into the throat why you can talk but your dog cant, to the fine lost art of swearing, bryson. There is a word to describe the state of being a woman. From the first descent of the larynx into the throat why you can talk but your dog cant, to the fine lost art of swearing, bryson tells the fascinating, often uproarious story of an. On nearly every page this is an urban myth, folk etymology, or misunderstanding of linguistics. Born in des moines, iowa, he now lives in england, where he has worked for both. Who else could rhapsodize about the colorless murmur of the schwa with a straight face. Where words come from if you have a morbid fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth, there is a word for it. I was shocked and disappointed after reading the first chapter of the mother tongue. Jul 17, 1990 the mother tongue is the story of the evolution of the english language, from its humble beginnings as a germanic tongue to what it has evolved into over the centuries. Bill brysons love of the english language shines through the book, even though it might seem a bit opinionated the mother tongue is not a detailed history of the english language, but a light reading which is informative and interesting.
The mother tongue audiobook by bill bryson 9780062458537. I like brysons easy, breezy writing and love languages, so i expected to really enjoy this book and at first i did. That is the bottom line, or the more ethereal learning from the book. Bill brysons bestselling books include a walk in the woods, the life and times of the thunderbolt kid, and a short history of nearly everything which won the aventis prize in britain and the descartes prize, the european unions highest literary. Bill brysons bestselling travel books include the lost continent and notes from a small island, which in a national poll was voted the book that best represents britain. Youll learn how, thanks to its flexibility and adaptability, english has endured and flourished, despite centuries of invasions, uprisings and censorship.
Bill bryson s mother tongueis a hymn to the english language. Explore audibles collection of free sleep and relaxation audio experiences. With dazzling wit and astonishing insight, bill brysonthe acclaimed author of the lost continentbrilliantly explores the remarkable history, eccentricities, resilience, and sheer fun of the english language. In neither here nor there he brings his unique brand of humour to bear on europe as he shoulders his backpack, keeps a tight hold on his wallet, and journeys from hammerfest, the northernmost town on the continent, to istanbul. The mother tongue by bill bryson overdrive rakuten. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 270 pages and is available in paperback format. The mother tongue is the story of the evolution of the english language, from its humble beginnings as a germanic tongue to what it has evolved into over the centuries. His books on the english language include mother tongue and troublesome words, both published by penguin bill bryson is the author of several bestsellers including the lost continent, neither here nor.