| A
natural observer of the human condition and
nature, Bryson brings the wit and insight seen is
his previous works “In A Sunburned
Country”and “A Walk in the Woods.”
These two books deal with his experiences
travelling across Australia and hiking the
Appalachian Trail. In these
books he shows the reader that history can be
funny, “Romans had no word for gray. To them
it was just another shade of dark green or dark
blue.” As can travel companions and most
importantly, that we Americans aren't as cool as
we think we are. His writing style is direct and
not overly wordy. He never flaunts his knowledge,
and would rather talk down about himself to get a
laugh than show another person at anything but
his or her best.
So
it is in “Tongue” that Bryson dissects
the origins of spoken language, it's spread and
consequent changes from Neolithic times to
present day. One of Bryson's attributes as a
writer is his ability to inform the reader
without seeming condescending, as most textbook
writers tend to be. He even takes a lighter look
at the language we use and abuse in chapters
devoted to slang and swearing, word play and his
own take on the future of the English language.
Some
of the nuggets in the book are mined from expert
research and cooperation from leaders in the
field of linguistics including Robert Fulk of the
University of Indiana and Dr. Takasuke Matsuo of
Osaka, Japan. A textbook in paperback form, this
257-page ode to all things English provides you
with information such as Shakespeare coined
one-tenth of the 17, 000 different words he used
in his writing. That's 1,700 words!
Although
the subject is somewhat dull, the idiosyncrasies
of our language can not be overlooked. Who else
can think of reasons for words with no root like
“befuddled?” Can anyone be
“fuddled?” Bryson's idea of a sentence
differs from the normal subject, predicate verb
form, “If I inform you that I have just
crashed your car and you reply, 'What!' or
`Where?' or `How!' you have clearly expressed a
complete thought, uttered a sentence.”
The
book offers a look at a subject most of us take
for granted and reads as quickly as the rest of
the half-finished books on your shelf from the
summer.
The
difference with Bryson's book is that unlike the
last Stephen King contrivance or Clive Cussler
thriller, this book can help do what you've
always wanted to do: correct your mother for
once, using the mother tongue.
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