Author:J. P. Davidson,Stephen Fry
Unravel the mysteries of language with J.P. Davidson's remarkable Planet Word.
'The way you speak is who you are and the tones of your voice and the tricks of your emailing and tweeting and letter-writing, can be recognised unmistakably in the minds of those who know and love you.'Stephen Fry
From feral children to fairy-tale princesses, secrets codes, invented languages - even a language that was eaten! - Planet Word uncovers everything you didn't know you needed to know about how language evolves. Learn the tricks to political propaganda, why we can talk but animals can't, discover 3,000-year-old clay tablets that discussed beer and impotence and test yourself at textese - do you know your RMEs from your LOLs? Meet the 105-year-old man who invented modern-day Chinese and all but eradicated illiteracy, and find out why language caused the go-light in Japan to be blue. From the dusty scrolls of the past to the unknown digital future, and with (heart) the first graphic to enter the OED, are we already well on our way to a language without words?
In a round-the-world trip of a lifetime, discover all this and more as J. P. Davidson travels across our gloriously, endlessly intriguing multilingual Planet Word.
John Paul Davidson is a film and television director and producer. After studying at Bristol University and completing his doctoral field work in The University of Malysia, he joined the BBC's Travel and Exploration Unit as their resident anthropologist.
Stephen Fry's film, stage, radio and television credits are numerous and wide-ranging. He has written, produced, directed, acted in or presented productions as varied as Wilde, Blackadder, Jeeves and Wooster, A Bit of Fry and Laurie, Fry's English Delight and QI. After writing many successful books, his recent memoir The Fry Chronicles was a number one bestseller.
Arguably the greatest living Englishman
—— Independent on SundayFry's linguistic facility remains one of the Wildean wonders of the new media age. The patron saint of British intelligence
—— Daily TelegraphAs a newspaper sub-editor myself (Bryson's original trade), I've read this guide to spelling, grammar and usage from front to back and have to say one thing. It's brilliant. It should be on the shelf of anyone aspiring to make a living using the English language... the best book of its type yet written
—— Daily Mail'Hutchinson's determination to put it into historical context has produced a significant commentary on the fortunes of Gaelic. He reminds us of each hard-won milestone on the road to some kind of meaningful government commitment'.
—— David Ross , Scottish Books'An interesting account of modern Gaelic history'.
—— Lindsay Macdonald , Aberdeen Press & Journal'An absorbing read...reminding us that oppression is not always conducted abroad or by the sword and that, when a remedy is sought, it will often be found'.
—— Sean Cosgrove , Morning Star'Hutchinson's determination to put it into a historical context has produced a significant commentary on the fortunes of Gaelic.He reminds us of each hard-won milestone on the road to some kind of meaningful government commitment'.
—— David Ross , The Glasgow HeraldOne thing that makes Gowers such an engaging figure is that he isn't prissy, priggish or prim. As far as he is concerned, language is a living thing that is constantly changing - and this is just as it should be
—— Sunday TelegraphStill the best book on English and how to write it ... Unhappy with versions rewritten by others, Rebecca Gowers, Sir Ernest's great-granddaughter, has produced a new edition ... The result is splendid ... Gowers wrote with wit, humanity and common sense ... [his] central advice should be taped to the screen of anyone sitting down at a computer keyboard
—— Michael Skapinker , Financial TimesThe book has been modernized but preserves all its original charm ... There is arguably a greater need for its circulation among the general public [than ever before]
—— Big IssueThe zeal with which Sir Ernest uncovers error is matched only by the wit with which he chastises it
—— Evening StandardI am glad that attention should be continually drawn to copies of this book ... I am in full sympathy with the doctrine laid down by Sir Ernest Gowers
—— Sir Winston ChurchillA delight, a classic of its kind
—— John o'London's WeeklyGreat fun to read
—— EconomistBrilliant
—— New StatesmanA sweetly reasonable and wholly admirable guide
—— The TimesIt will delight far wider circles than those to whom it is primarily addressed
—— ObserverPersonal and affectionate tribute
—— Sally Morris , Daily MailAffectionate, familial tribute to this many-sided man.
—— The Catholic Herald
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