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Lost for Words

By John Humphrys

(11)

| Hardcover | 9780340836583

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Critics

Cleansing the stables of language

During the mid-17th century the idea gained ground in various parts of Europe that the world was about to come to an end. Bewildered by the effects of widespread war and revolution, bad harvests and a miniature Ice Age taking the form of savage winte ... (read full critics)

spectator published on Fri, 17 Sep 2010

2 Reviews

2 people find this helpful

This book could actually be divided into two parts: Part one is teaching you how to spot bad English and why it is bad, which is hilarious however cannot really help you write better. Perhaps just a little bit. Some of the others may think John Humphrys is snobbish to insist writing "proper English" ... (continue)

This book could actually be divided into two parts: Part one is teaching you how to spot bad English and why it is bad, which is hilarious however cannot really help you write better. Perhaps just a little bit. Some of the others may think John Humphrys is snobbish to insist writing "proper English" or is a "grammar freak". I am okay with that as I always think, we should speak and write in a clearer way (though after years of "academic writing", I am nothing but inarticulate). This can actually quite enjoyable (I am trying not to be picky when people using Chinglish in msn or casual email as I am as well using that), if you are tolerate to other's insistence.
For part B, Humphrys tries to convey "language is power" and he does the job, again, very enjoyably. Of course there can't be some VERY SERIOUS discussion on how politicians and PR practitioners manipulate language and twist their message as to the extent being invisible. Just like how politicians use "hurray" words such as "freedom", "justice" as an excuse/reason to invade. (Yeah, the notorious Bush administration) Of course, need not to mention, the political propaganda in the Kingdoms.
Perhaps we are not that lost... perhaps we do know those beautiful words are skin-deep. However, in this millennium, everything is about presentation. Everybody is just a receptor. We are just being insensitive.

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張小張・Cons said on Dec 2, 2007 about the Others edition | Add your feedback

Good English but I think the writer is too stubborn and quite resistant to changes in language usage which is an ever evolving phenomenon in life!

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HiHiLoLo said on Feb 27, 2008 about the Others edition | Add your feedback