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Words from Hell: Unearthing the Darkest Secrets of English Etymology
The English language is where words go to be tortured and mutilated into unrecognizable shadows of their former selves. It's where Latin, Greek, and Germanic roots are shredded apart and...
Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global
*A FINANCIAL TIMES , GUARDIAN AND TLS BOOK OF THE SUMMER* 'The fascinating story of ancient words ... new revelations await' The Guardian 'A magisterial feat' New Scientist ________________________________ One...
Mother Tongue: The English Language
Bill Bryson's Mother Tongue is a hymn to the English language. In examining how a second-rate, mongrel tongue came to be the undisputed language of the globe. Bryson explores English...
Word Perfect: Etymological Entertainment Every Day
'Susie Dent is a one-off. She breathes life and fun into words and language' Pam Ayres ' Susie Dent is a national treasure' Richard Osman Welcome to a year of...
Japanese Kanji and Kana Workbook: A Self-Study Workbook for Learning
Japanese Kanji and Kana Workbook offers a systematic approach to learning Japanese characters. It is designed to be used with the best-selling Japanese Kanji & Kana: A Guide to the...
The Complete Guide to Japanese Kanji: (JLPT All Levels) Remembering
The Complete Guide to Japanese Kanji is a unique study guide that provides a comprehensive introduction to all the kanji characters on the Japanese Ministry of Education's official Joyo (General...
Australia's Original Languages: An introduction
'A must read for all who would like to understand the languages and culture of Indigenous Australians.' Dr Ernie Grant, Elder of the Jirrbal nation When Captain Cook landed at...
A Conspiracy of Ravens: A Compendium of Collective Nouns for Birds
A charm of goldfinches. An ostentation of peacocks. A murder of crows. The English language brims with witty words for flocks of birds! Thought to have originated from hunting manuals,...
Writing Without Words: Alternative Literacies in Mesoamerica and the
The history of writing, or so the standard story goes, is an ascending process, evolving toward the alphabet and finally culminating in the "full writing" of recorded speech. Writing without...
The Deorhord: An Old English Bestiary
'Invaluable - and hugely entertaining ... It is an absolute romp and a must-have for history and fantasy enthusiasts alike' - Eleanor Janega'Endlessly fascinating'- the SpectatorOld English was spoken over...
The Grammar of Angels: A Search for the Magical Powers of Language
'Ingenious... a glorious portrait of the great 15th-century prince of learning' Daily Telegraph 'A deeply fascinating, sui generis book by a brilliant scholar-writer, which uses the life story of a...
You Can't Always Say What You Want: The Paradox of Free Speech
The freedom to think what you want and to say what you think has always generated a pushback of regulation and censorship. This raises the thorny question: to what extent...
How Languages Work: An Introduction to Language and Linguistics
Language is a sophisticated tool which we use to communicate in a multitude of ways. Updated and expanded in its second edition, this book introduces language and linguistics - presenting...
The Language-Lover's Lexipedia: From the creator of the League of the
FROM THE INVENTOR OF 'THE LEAGUE OF THE LEXICON' BOARDGAME - THE PERFECT GIFT FOR ALL WHO LOVE WORDS AND LANGUAGE. 'A word-lover's dream' Stephen Fry 'The book is delightful...
Dictionary of Fine Distinctions: Nuances, Niceties and Subtle Shades
'Delightful' Steven Pinker 'A joy to read' David Crystal Swamp or bog? Guilt or shame? Poisonous or venomous? We pick from a wealth of words to express ourselves each day,...
How Language Works
David Crystal's How Language Works is a fascinating tour through the world of language from one of today's most renowned experts. It ranges over everything from how children learn to...