Using evidence provided by the world's largest language databank, the Oxford English Corpus, Butterfield uncovers fascinating facts about the English language. Where does our vocabulary come from? How do word meanings change? How is our language really being used? This entertaining book has the up-to-date and authoritative answers to all the key questions about our language. With over 2 billion words contained in the Oxford English Corpus, Butterfield takes a thorough look at the English language and exposes its peculiarities and penchants, its development and difficulties, revealing exactly how it operates. Interpolating his expert knowledge of dictionary-making, Butterfield explains how dictionaries decide which words to include, how they find definitions, and how a Corpus influences the process. Covering all areas of English, from spelling and speech to idioms and idiosyncrasies, including a thoughtful chapter about the future of English, and with entertaining examples and useful charts throughout, this compelling and lively book contains something for everyone.
Damp Squid:The English Language Laid Bare
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This book will be irresistible to those who would really like to find out how the English language is behaving. Clearly written and informative, it is a lively guide to that most creative and challenging language, English.
-- Alexander McCall Smith
-- Alexander McCall Smith
About the Author
Jeremy Butterfield has commissioned, compiled, and edited many major English and foreign-language dictionaries, and is a regular contributor to radio and TV discussions about questions of language use. He edited the Oxford A-Z of English Usage (2007).
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By J. Mason
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'll admit it - one of the main factors in my purchase of this book was the amusing title and cover art, followed by the praise one of my favourite authors on the top. But despite my hasty purchase I was far from disappointed! I'm just about to start my A levels and am interested in doing linguistics at university and I found this a great introduction to that most beautiful science. The book is written in a way that is easy to understand yet not patronising and covers all the basics such as what a corpus is and why it is so important, why spelling and meaning change and why prescriptivism is doomed to failure. Thoroughly recommended to anyone interested in English/language!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have read more than a dozen books about the English language by authors such a David Crystal and Henry Hitchings but this book adds even more information.
It's based on the Oxford Corpus, a database of over two billion words. It shows the most commonly used words. It outlines the origins of words and discusses changes in the spelling and meaning of words. It comments on patterns of words such as 'a sea change' and words that are commonly linked together (the word 'naked' is more often linked with 'eye', than with 'body'). There's a chapter on idiomatic phrases and others on grammar and style.
Well worth buying whether you are a novice or well versed.
It's based on the Oxford Corpus, a database of over two billion words. It shows the most commonly used words. It outlines the origins of words and discusses changes in the spelling and meaning of words. It comments on patterns of words such as 'a sea change' and words that are commonly linked together (the word 'naked' is more often linked with 'eye', than with 'body'). There's a chapter on idiomatic phrases and others on grammar and style.
Well worth buying whether you are a novice or well versed.
16 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
What have "women and sticks" to do with "cats and dogs" ? What do "which" and "want" have in common? What is a corpus, and why does it matter ? The answers to these - and many more - questions are all to be found in this gem of a book.
Jeremy Butterfield writes with wit, style and authority on the elusive mysteries of the English language - a subject to which he has dedicated the bulk of his working life. The book is a fascinating and highly informative analysis of how our language is used and how it is evolving.
Highly recommended.
Jeremy Butterfield writes with wit, style and authority on the elusive mysteries of the English language - a subject to which he has dedicated the bulk of his working life. The book is a fascinating and highly informative analysis of how our language is used and how it is evolving.
Highly recommended.
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Damp Squid
I bought this as a Christmas present for my son from his Christmas Wish List. He was very happy with it.
Published 3 months ago by Professor Yaffle
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Fascinating read
A well structured and written book, informative with great examples.
Just one thing that knocks a star off, why the z's? Read more
Just one thing that knocks a star off, why the z's? Read more
Published 4 months ago by R. Swift
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damp squib book
got a thank you from my nephew for this book, so it must be good, maybe get a chance to read it myself some time!
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Great book
I bought this book as a Christmas present for my Dad, and he loves it. I would recommend it to others.
Published 16 months ago by can55
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great browsing
if you are interested in language, this book is for you - or, in fact, anyone who can speak English!
Published on 22 Mar 2010 by Nigel Sweet
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Xmas entertainment
I gave this book to my husband, who is a scientist, as a Christmas present. I was a bit doubtful whether he would enjoy it, as it is not the sort of book he would choose to read. Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2009 by Elena
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