Language Books
All contributors in Language Books
Mess of Iguanas. Whoop of Gorillas; Group Terms
A miscellany of animal facts with emphasis on collective names. It is a useful reference for lovers of the English language or with an interest in the natural world. more...
English Grammar in Use, Intermediate Reference
English Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy may be the definitive textbook for intermediate students of English and Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). more...
Living French, Full Course of Language Lessons
Book review of a traditional and comprehensive course in the French language. Aimed at beginners and those returning to study of French. It has a supporting audio CD. more...
Why is Q Always Followed by U? – Book Review
English has many quirky phrases from around the world. This book explains the meaning and origin of many of the phrases that make English language so rich and versatile. more...
The Ode Less Travelled by Stephen Fry – Review
Stephen Fry harbours a dark secret which he shares with the reader of The Ode Less Travelled. A reader who follows the course to the end may also end up as a closet poet. more...
Review – The Adventure of English, Melvyn Bragg
English is now a global language but how it became so is a fascinating story. There were times when it all but disappeared but miraculously survived and became stronger. more...
All feature articles in Language Books
By: Michael Waterson
Shakespeare is responsible for more new words in the English language than any other author, coining 1,500 neologisms by conservative estimate. more...
Review of Shapes for Sounds by Timothy Donaldson
By: Jo Jackson
Written by a typeface designer, this book is a virtual Bible of the Latin alphabet, revealing that it consists of far more than 26 letters evolved from Phoenician forms. more...
Review of Lynne Truss's Eats, Shoots & Leaves
By: Amy Goldstein
Equal parts textbook, social commentary, and love letter, Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation is both a great read and a great reference. more...
By: Cheryl Metzger
The Japanese always add a suffix to the name of whomever they're addressing. Learn how the relationship to the speaker defines which suffix to use. more...
Book Review – The Elements of Style
By: Ryan Werner
One of the best known rulebooks regarding linguistic problems and grammar. With over fifty years in publication, The Elements of Style continues to teach and challenge. more...
By: Cheryl Metzger
Confused with the myriad of ways the Japanese have of addressing people? Here are some common forms of address and the types of people one would use them for. more...
By: Dana Herrera
Neat handwriting used to be a sign of sophistication. Revive this lost tradition. Improve your handwriting with a few simple steps. Learn how italics can help. more...
All contributing articles in Language Books