Magnificent

Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue
22.50 list price

ISBN: 1592403956

ISBN-13: 9781592403950
Format: Hardcover, 256pp
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Pub. Date: October 2008
Sales Rank: 11,332

Called a survey of the quirks and quandaries of the English language, this book provides a focus on English grammar and its history. This is in contrast to Alphabet Juice, the Roy Blount book that has a focus more on usage. Both books are an interesting read.

Author John McWhorter is an American linguist and political commentator. He is the author of numerous books on language including The Power of Babel. A senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a contributing editor to The New Republic, he has taught linguistics at the University of California at Berkeley.

Honestly, I expected that this book would be similar to Baugh and A History of the English Language. Surprisingly, this book, while it covered a similar subject, included a voice totally different from Baugh. Baugh's voice is text-book like and almost stuffy - but not necessarily in a bad way. McWhorter's voice comes more from a study of creole languages and anthropology, as well as linguistics. His voice is most enjoyable.

The book covers the Celtic and Welsh influence on English as well as the impact of the Viking raids, Normal Conquest, and Germanic invastions. He also describes the simplicity of English - with it lack of declensions - as became a type of universal vehicle of expression during the early formation of Britain.

When I checked on amazon.com, 10 reviewers gave it an average of 4. Five reviewers gave a 5. Four reviewers gave a 4. One reviewer gave a 1. I give it a 4 as the topic is fascinating and the treatment original However, I can understand that reviewer who gave the 1. The author does tend to dwell on the particular idea that English grammar was influenced by Welsh and Gaelic. His argument is convincing but at times tedious.

A relatively short book at 197 pages, it is in a small and very readable format.

John McWhorter