What is actually in the context of this novel? The history of English linguistic form studied by tracing its development since its earliest recorded occurrence (about 700 A.D.) and then tracing its transmission, by analyzing it into its component parts, by identifying its cognates in other languages and reaching thoughtful conclusions about just why we talk in the manner which we do. A great read or if you prefer a stupendous listen to. Thus, what would have been leaden, is in fact, a most titillating and intriguing journey through etymology. Now, if that all sounds dull, well it could be but for the fact this is written by Bill Bryson. It then compares its findings to the observable and proves its conjectures as apparent from the observable. Don’t get me wrong this book is scientifically written meaning it takes data accumulates it and proposes a point concerning language and its maturation over the centuries. Bryson’s statements in the book, “anguage is more fashion than science.” That is the bottom line, or the more ethereal learning from the book.
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