Synopses & Reviews
Drawing from his Speaking of Language columns written for The Montreal Gazette, Howard Richler invites readers to enjoy the pleasures of exploring the English language--which is rapidly becoming the world's lingua franca. Among other things, Richler traces how foreign words invaded the English language over the centuries, and how people's names came into existence. Richler completes his tour of English with a special section on Canadian English. Take My Words also contains many entertaining puzzles, quizzes and word games to challenge readers' skills.
Synopsis
In this lively and informative book, Howard Richler imparts his fascination with the richness of the language which is fast becoming the globe\'s newest lingua franca. Filled with surprises about the language we use everyday, Take My Words offers information about the history of words, their shifting meanings, and the essential playfulness of language.\n\nRichler includes chapters on puns, palindromes and malapropisms, and develops a series of entertaining puzzles, quizzes and word games to challenge the reader\'s skills. Take My Words also includes chapters on the dangers and consequences of mistranslation - from Kennedy\'s famous \Ich bin ein Berliner\ to the bombing of Hiroshima. Ending his tour of English with a special Canadian section, Richler discusses the importance of Native languages to the Canadian experience as well as the ways in which Quebecois French has influenced English.