Spellbound (Paperback)
Language: English
Published by Random House USA Inc, New York, 2007
- Softcover
- New
Seller: Grand Eagle Retail, Bensenville, IL, U.S.A.Grand Eagle Retail
AbeBooks seller since October 12, 2005
Condition: New
£ 19.67
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Paperback. Welcome to the illogical, idiosyncratic, outrageous linguistic phenomenon known as the English language. The story of how this ragtag collection of words evolved is a winding tale replete with intriguing accidents and bizarre twists of fate. In this eye-opening, fabulously entertaining book, James Essinger unlocks the mysteries that have confounded linguists and scholars for millennia.From the sophisticated writing systems of the ancient Sumerians through the tongue twisters of Middle English, the popular National Spelling Bee, and the mobile phone text-messaging of today, Spellbound chronicles the fascinating history of English spelling, including insights about the vast number of words English has borrowed from other languages (orange, vanilla, and ketchup, to name a few), and how their meanings differ from country to country. Featuring a lively cast of characters ranging from the fictional to the historically noteworthy (Chaucer, Samuel Johnson, Noah Webster, Shakespeare, Bill Gates), this affectionate tribute to English spelling shows why our whimsical, capricious common language continues to hold us spellbound. Welcome to the illogical, idiosyncratic, outrageous linguistic phenomenon known as the English language. In this eye-opening, fabulously entertaining book, Essinger unlocks the mysteries that have confounded linguists and scholars for millennia. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. …
Seller Inventory # 9780385340847
- Title
- Spellbound (Paperback)
- Author
- James Essinger
- Publisher
- Random House USA Inc, New York
- Publication year
- 2007
- Condition
- new
- Binding
- Paperback
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0385340842
- ISBN 13
- 9780385340847
From the sophisticated writing systems of the ancient Sumerians through the tongue twisters of Middle English, the popular National Spelling Bee, and the mobile phone text-messaging of today, Spellbound chronicles the fascinating history of English spelling, including insights about the vast number of words English has borrowed from other languages ("orange," "vanilla," and "ketchup," to name a few), and how their meanings differ from country to country. Featuring a lively cast of characters ranging from the fictional to the historically noteworthy (Chaucer, Samuel Johnson, Noah Webster, Shakespeare, Bill Gates), this affectionate tribute to English spelling shows why our whimsical, capricious common language continues to hold us spellbound.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Grand Eagle Retail
Bensenville, IL, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since October 12, 2005
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APOLLO ONLINE CORP.
605 Geddes Street
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