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Synopsis
Communication is essential to our lives, but how often do we stop to think about where the words we use have come from? Have you ever thought about which words in English have been borrowed from Arabic, French or Dutch? Try admiral, landscape and marmalade just for starters. The Secret Life of Words is a wide-ranging account not only of the history of English, but also of how words witness history, reflect social change and remind us of our turbulent past. Henry Hitchings delves into our promiscuous language and reveals how and why it has absorbed words from more than 350 other languages many originating from the most unlikely of places, such as shampoo from Hindi and kiosk from Turkish.
From the Norman Conquest to the present day, Hitchings narrates the story of English as an archive of our human experience and uncovers the secrets behind everyday words. This is a celebration of our language; after reading it, you will never again take the words we use for granted.
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About the Author
Henry Hitchings was born in 1974. Educated at the universities of Oxford and London, he is the author of Dr Johnsons Dictionary and has contributed to many newspapers and magazines.
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- PublisherJohn Murray
- Publication date2008
- ISBN 10 0719564549
- ISBN 13 9780719564543
- BindingHardcover
- LanguageEnglish
- Edition number1
- Number of pages448
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The Secret Life of Words. How English Became English.
Published by
John Murray, London, 2008
ISBN 10: 0719564549
ISBN 13: 9780719564543
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Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. Dustwrapper, pp.440. The history of the English language, and of how the words themselves bear witness to history and social change. There are also some 350 other languages which contribute words to English and this is also covered to interesting effect. Wrapper a little creased and lightly worn to top edge, otherwise clean and sound. Binding and contents very clean. Near fine in VG wrapper. Seller Inventory # 010004
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