Professor of Linguistics John McWhorter: Words on the Move: Why English Won't - And Can't - Sit Still (Like, Literally)

Words on the Move: Why English Won't - And Can't - Sit Still (Like, Literally)


Description

A bestselling linguist takes us on a lively tour of how the English language is evolving before our eyes -- and why we should embrace this transformation and not fight it Language is always changing -- but we tend not to like it. We understand that new words must be created for new things, but the way English is spoken today rubs many of us the wrong way. Whether it’s the use of literally to mean “figuratively” rather than “by the letter,” or the way young people use LOL and like, or business jargon like What’s the ask? -- it often seems as if the language is deteriorating before our eyes. But the truth is different and a lot less scary, as John McWhorter shows in this delightful and eye-opening exploration of how English has always been in motion and continues to evolve today. Drawing examples from everyday life and employing a generous helping of humor, he shows that these shifts are a natural process common to all languages, and that we should embrace and appreciate these changes, not condemn them. Words on the Move opens our eyes to the surprising backstories to the words and expressions we use every day. Did you know that silly once meant “blessed”? Or that ought was the original past tense of owe? Or that the suffix -ly in adverbs is actually a remnant of the word like? And have you ever wondered why some people from New Orleans sound as if they come from Brooklyn? McWhorter encourages us to marvel at the dynamism and resilience of the English language, and his book offers a lively journey through which we discover that words are ever on the move and our lives are all the richer for it.

"A true genius ...Roald Dahl is my hero" David Walliams Life The Private Voice Studio Handbook download ebook story of Roald Dahl, World's No.1 storyteller, creator of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr Fox, Matilda, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach and many more, brought to life by Michael Rosen - author, top children's poet and former Children's Laureate. Written especially for children, with fun pages and illustrations by Quentin Blake. So, how did Roald Dahl get into writing? Where did he get his ideas from? What ingredients in his life turned him into the kind of writer he was? Michael Rosen comes up with some of the answers to these key questions in his lively biography, specially for children, of the world's No.1 storyteller. Full of stories and funny anecdotes from Roald Dahl's school days and family life, Michael Rosen's fascinating observations creates a vivid picture of one of the most famous writers of all time.


____________________________
Author: Professor of Linguistics John McWhorter
Number of Pages: 257 pages
Published Date: 06 Sep 2016
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Publication Country: United States
Language: English
ISBN: 9781627794718
Download Link: Click Here
____________________________

Tags:

download torrent, fb2, download torrent, iPad,download torrent Words on the Move: Why English Won't - And Can't - Sit Still (Like, Literally) by Professor of Linguistics John McWhorter iPad,mobi, rarebook pdf,download epub, Read online, for PC, ebook, kindle, for mac, zip, epub download, download pdf, download ebook, free ebook,Words on the Move: Why English Won't - And Can't - Sit Still (Like, Literally) iPhone,iOS, Professor of Linguistics John McWhorter free pdf,facebook, paperback, download book, free pdf, book review, iPhone, pocket,

Ravenspur
Japanese Grammar: Reference Guide free pdf, epub, mobi