Why We Talk Funny: The Real Story Behind Our Accents
Language: English
Published by Viking, 2026
- Hardcover
- Used
Seller: Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia, Richmond, VA, U.S.A.Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia
AbeBooks seller since May 29, 2026
Condition: Used - Fair
£ 13.78
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketSeller Inventory # CCVV.0593830482.A
- Title
- Why We Talk Funny: The Real Story Behind Our Accents
- Author
- Fridland, Valerie
- Publisher
- Viking
- Publication year
- 2026
- Condition
- acceptable
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0593830482
- ISBN 13
- 9780593830482
Accents have long held our fascination. As far back as the 7th century BCE, Egyptian pharaohs experimented with babies to test out theories about the "original" accent and the Old Testament relays how a small difference in the pronunciation of "s" became a fatal litmus test of tribal belonging. Still today, from dinner parties to job interviews, you'll find people kicking up dust about things like where and how to pronounce a 't, ' as in, never in "often," but with proper British poshness, as in "t(y)une."
In Why We Talk Funny, linguist Valerie Fridland unlocks the secrets of what linguistic science, psychology and history can tell us about the evolution of human speech, why accents develop, and how they shape our professional and social lives. With a healthy dose of her signature humor and captivating anecdotes, Fridland explores how the twin forces of physiology and psychology along with the need to fit in changes the trajectory of speech over languages and lifetimes, diving deep into the history and social forces driving the way people talk. Along the way, she emphasizes that accents don't always set us apart, they can also bring us together. Whether it's the accent that hints at your hometown, your group, your social status or your ethnicity, the sounds we say reveal a lot about who we are and where we've been - even for those who might think they have no accent at all.
The story of language is the story of humanity, and as Fridland reminds us, the funny sounds we make - whether from the mouths of ancient ancestors or the tongues of screenbound teens - all come from the same powerful desire to communicate and belong. Why We Talk Funny will change the way you think about your own accent - and transform the way you listen to the sounds of others.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia
Richmond, VA, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since May 29, 2026
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 5 to 14 business days | 3 to 6 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 4.35 | £ 8.32 |
Payment methods
Store description
Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia is a nonprofit dedicated to changing lives through the power of work. Every book purchased from our page helps fund job training programs, education, and employment opportunities for individuals facing barriers to work. From career coaching to skills development, we empower people in our community to build brighter futures. When you shop our books, you are not just finding your next great read, you are supporting a mission that has strengthened Central and Coastal Virginia since 1923. Give a book a second life and help someone start a new chapter of their own. Our mission is changing lives…helping people help themselves through the power of work. Through an earn while you learn approach, we provide hands-on experience, supportive services, and access to training that leads to real careers. Every purchase plays a role in advancing that mission and creating opportunities across the communities we serve.…
Specialty
Used books from all categoriesSeller's business information
Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia
6301 Midlothian Tpke
Richmond, VA U.S.A. 23225
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, U.S.A., +1 (804) 521-4906 -, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.