A survey of the quirks and quandaries of the English language,
focusing on our strange and wonderful grammar
Why do we say "I am reading a catalog" instead of "I read a catalog"?
Why do we say "do" at all? Is the way we speak a reflection of our
cultural values? Delving into these provocative topics and more, Our
Magnificent Bastard Language distills hundreds of years of fascinating
lore into one lively history.
Covering such turning points as the little-known Celtic and Welsh
influences on English, the impact of the Viking raids and the Norman
Conquest, and the Germanic invasions that started it all during the
fifth century ad, John McWhorter narrates this colorful evolution with
vigor. Drawing on revolutionary genetic and linguistic research as well
as a cache of remarkable trivia about the origins of English words and
syntax patterns, Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue ultimately
demonstrates the arbitrary, maddening nature of English-- and its ironic
simplicity due to its role as a streamlined lingua franca during the
early formation of Britain. This is the book that language aficionados
worldwide have been waiting for (and no, it's not a sin to end a
sentence with a preposition).