{"product_id":"the-mother-tongue-english-how-it-got-that-way-1","title":"The Mother Tongue - English \u0026 How It Got That Way","description":"Bryson covers the entire history of language, from the first crude murmurings of Neanderthal man thirty thousand years ago to the explosion of English as a global language in this century. We learn why island, freight, and colonel are spelled in such patently unphonetic ways, and four has a u in it but forty does not. A couple of quotes: “Any language where the unassuming word ‘fly’ signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman’s apparel is clearly asking to be mangled.” “There are more students of English in China than there are people in the United States.”\u003cbr\u003eASIN: 0965316599\u003cbr\u003eVSKU: DBV.0965316599.A\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Acceptable\u003cbr\u003eAuthor\/Artist:Bryson, Bill\u003cbr\u003eBinding: Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eNote:\u003c\/b\u003e Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition Notes\u003c\/b\u003e: This copy has clearly been enjoyed—expect noticeable shelf wear and some minor creases to the cover. Binding is strong, and all pages are legible. May contain previous library markings or stamps.  \u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Dream Books Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41504548651066,"sku":"DBV.0965316599.A","price":4.79,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/6011\/0138\/files\/0965316599-0_046c4efc-4992-4d9b-803e-7635d176eed6.jpg?v=1783118700","url":"https:\/\/shop.dreambooksco.com\/products\/the-mother-tongue-english-how-it-got-that-way-1","provider":"Dream Books Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}