Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson

I very much enjoy reading books written by Bill Bryson. I have also tried listening 
to one of his books on cd, read by him. Let's just say I'd rather read the book; 
he reads a bit slow and dead-pan for me. Don't get me wrong, I know it must be 
difficult to read for a recording! I feel the writing just flows better for me if I am 
reading. I'm not much given to listening to books on tape but do it once in a while.

I enjoyed Mother Tongue. I very much enjoy learning about language and what 
affects it and causes it to change. The differences between American and British 
English intrigue me and they were discussed in this book, along with many other 
things. (We happened to be living in England at the time that I read this book in 
January 2008.)

He also discusses dialects and spelling changes. Ever wonder why the word 
"doubt" is spelled the way it is? As always Bryson can write about a very serious 
topic while managing to infuse it with lots of tongue-in-cheek humor. (For those 
interested in language but with a taste for anything that isn't banal he even 
discusses swear words.)


             Why do "knife" and "knight" and "knowledge" begin with a "k"?      
                                  Bryson knows; I know; do you know?