40 pages 1 hour read

Bill Bryson

The Mother Tongue: English and How It Got That Way

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1990

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson is a nonfiction work that explores the origins, history, and evolving future of the English language. Bryson blends humor with historical research and linguistics to delve into the peculiarities of English dialects, pronunciation, grammar, spelling, and syntax, establishing themes on its global role, history, and linguistic evolution through detailed chapter-by-chapter examination.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Bill Bryson's The Mother Tongue offers a witty and informative exploration of the English language's history and quirks. Readers appreciate Bryson's humor and engaging writing style. However, some critics note occasional inaccuracies and a lack of depth in certain areas. Overall, it is an enjoyable read for language enthusiasts but may not satisfy scholarly expectations. Bryson, Bill. The Mother Tongue. William Morrow, 1990.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Mother Tongue?

A reader who enjoys The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson likely has a keen interest in the quirks of the English language, history, and etymology. Fans of books like Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss and The Etymologicon by Mark Forsyth will appreciate Bryson’s humorous and informative exploration of language.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Humor

Travel Literature

Topics

History: World

Arts / Culture

History: U.S.

Themes

Values/Ideas: Literature

Identity: Language

Society: Nation