Weeds in the Garden of Words: Further Observations on the Tangled History of the English Language

Weeds in the Garden of Words: Further Observations on the Tangled History of the English Language

by KateBurridge (Author)

Synopsis

If the English language is a glorious garden, filled with exotic hybrids and the continuing tradition of heritage specimens, then it is no surprise that we will also find some weeds. Linguistic weeds may have pronunciations we don't want or constructions that are out of place. We may be trying to hold on to words and usage we should perhaps have said farewell to. But as all gardeners know, what one gardener calls a 'weed', another may call a 'flower'. The same goes for words and their usage in English - sometimes we just haven't realized their virtues. Kate Burridge follows the international success of her book Blooming English with another entertaining excursion into the ever-changing nature of our complex and captivating language.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 208
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 16 Jun 2005

ISBN 10: 0521618231
ISBN 13: 9780521618236
Book Overview: Kate Burridge provides an entertaining look at 'unacceptable' words, phrases and pronunciations in English.

Media Reviews
'... for those who failed to brush up their grammar, hope is at hand from a new book that celebrates slang and poor punctuation.' The Independent
'... not all change is good. Burridge is quick to criticise 'evil weed' words, such as dishonest euphemisms that try to sound neutral when really they are negative, such as friendly fire and downsize.' BBC News Magazine
'... the fact that a book can stimulate such debate is proof positive that the English language is a rude and robust health. We should all celebrate that.' Daily Express
Popular treatments of English usage abound. But this book brings a fresh perspective to the topic, drawing an analogy between 'weeds' in a garden and so-called errors of English usage. This metaphor is sustained throughout the book and really helps the reader understand that many usages that we now condemn as 'weeds' ...were at one time quite ordinary members of the linguistic 'garden'. Professor Charles F. Meyer, University of Massachusetts, Boston
[Burridge's] astute observations, dry humor, clear prose and fushion (yes!) combine to make Burrdige's well indexed book an enjoyable treat for logophiles. --Catholic Library World
Author Bio
Kate Burridge is Professor of Linguistics at Monash University. She is well known for her broadcasts on ABC Radio's Soundback.