The Mother Tongue

Bill Bryson, the celebrated author of "The Lost Continent", examines the incredible history, oddities, resilience, and pure pleasure of English languages in "The Mother Tongue" with sparkling humor and astounding insight. From the earliest fall of the trachea into the esophagus (why you can speak but your dog cannot) to the beautiful lost art of cursing, Bryson recounts the fascinating and sometimes hilarious tale of an inferior and second-rate language of peasants, which evolved into one of the globe's biggest growing sectors.

Indeed, Bill Bryson provides the clearest information we have ever seen on the beginnings and applications of English. The author of “Troublesome Words” explains in his cutting sentences about the roots of swear words, why British people have so many distinct dialects, as well as how English is rapidly becoming the global language of communication.

By making language and syntax become entertaining and amusing, Bryson has successfully attracted his readers, and "The Mother Tongue" is considered one of the best books on writing, not only for English writers but also for other non-English authors looking for inspiration.

Author: Bill Bryson

Year of Release: 1990

Goodreads Score: 3.91 stars (from 38,920 reviews)