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Why Is This a Question?
Everything About the Origins and Oddities of Language You Never Thought to Ask
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Why Is This a Question?
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A fascinating exploration of the nuts and bolts of human language
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
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Description
A fascinating exploration of the nuts and bolts of human language.
Why don’t eleven and twelve end in –teen? The rest of our counting system sits in neatly arithmetical sets of ten, so why do these two rule-breakers seem so at odds with the numbers that follow them?
Admittedly, that’s probably a question you’ve never thought to ask. But if you’re even remotely interested in the origins and oddities of language, it’s likely also a question you’re now intrigued to know the answer to. Nor is it the only question: take a moment to think about how our language operates and even more spring to mind. Why do these letters look the way they do? Why are some uppercase and others lowercase? Why are these words in this order? How are you understanding what these seemingly arbitrary shapes and symbols mean, while doubtless hearing them read to you in a voice inside your head? And what is this question mark really doing at the end of this sentence?
Books explaining the origins of our language’s most intriguing words and phrases have long proved popular, but they often overlook the true nuts and bolts of our languages: the origins of our alphabet and writing system; grammatical rules and conventions; the sound structure of language; and even how our brains and bodies interpret and communicate language itself. Why Is This a Question? redresses that balance, and explores many complex yet fascinating linguistic disciplines across its chapters, each exploring a question you’ve likely never thought to ask.
Praise for The Cabinet of Calm
‘I love this gifty and gorgeous compendium of beguiling words from which you can select to soothe the troubles that afflict you… [A] warm bath of linguistic remedies.’ Caroline Sanderson, The Bookseller (Editor’s Choice: May 2020)
‘Fantastic . . . Exactly the book that everybody needs.’ Simon Mayo
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The book Why Is This a Question? by Paul Anthony Jones is praised for being both entertaining and enlightening. Reviewers highlight its engrossing nature and the captivating insights it offers, often leaving readers pondering with delight. It is described as enthralling, with fascinating discoveries on nearly every page, showcasing Jones as a skilled collector of linguistic curiosities.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781783966646
Publisher: Elliott & Thompson Limited
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 13 October 2022
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Elliott & Thompson Limited
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 138.0mm
Height: 216.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 320
Collections
About the Author
Paul Anthony Jones is something of a linguistic phenomenon. He runs the popular @HaggardHawks Twitter feed, blog and YouTube channel, revealing daily word facts to 60,000 engaged followers. His books include: Word Drops: A Sprinkling of Linguistic Curiosities (E&T, 2015), The Accidental Dictionary (E&T, 2016), The Cabinet of Linguistic Curiosities (E&T, 2017), Around the World in 80 Words (E&T, 2018), as well as several other books on trivia and language. He appears regularly in the media and has contributed to the Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries online. He is also a piano teacher and musician, and lives in Newcastle upon Tyne.
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Why Is This a Question?
Why don’t eleven and twelve end in –teen? The rest of our counting system sits in neatly arithmetical sets of ten, so why do these two rulebreakers seem so at odds with the numbers that follow them? Admittedly, that question might never have occurred to you. But if you’re even remotely interested in the origins and oddities of language, you’re...PaperbackSold Out
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