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

Description

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.

Kate Burridge is Professor of Linguistics at Monash University. She is well known for her broadcasts on ABC Radio's Soundback.

'... 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