Biting the Wax Tadpole: Confessions of a Language Fanatic - Brossura

Little, Elizabeth

Brossura

ISBN 10: 0385527748 ISBN 13: 9780385527743

Casa editrice: Random House, 2008

Riassunto

When Chinese shopkeepers tried to find a written equivalent of Coca-Cola, one set of characters they chose was pronounced “ke-kou ke-la.” It sounded right, but it literally translated as “bite the wax tadpole.”

Language, like travel, is always stranger than we expect and often more beautiful than we imagine. In Biting the Wax Tadpole Elizabeth Little takes a decidedly unstuffy and accessible tour of grammar via the languages of the world—from Lithuanian noun declensions and imperfective Russian verbs to Ancient Greek and Navajo. And in one of the most courageous acts in the history of popular grammar books, she attempts to provide an explanation of verbal aspect that people might actually understand. Other difficult and pressing questions addressed in Biting the Wax Tadpole include:

*Just what, exactly, the Swedish names of IKEA products mean

*Why Icelandic speakers must decide if the numbers 1-4 are plural

*How Theodor Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss) was able to take an otherwise unexceptional pair of breakfast foods and turn them into literary fodder for generations

*Why Joanie Loves Chachi was Korea’s highest rated television show ever

*Why Basque grammar seems downright kooky to just about anyone who isn’t a native speaker

Su questo libro

Recensione

“This is a fun book for grammar and pop-culture lovers alike. Little provides grammar basics and little-known facts by incorporating stories of her travels, Star Wars, Dr. Seuss, and other familiar icons. It’s both a breezy read and a useful resource.” —USAToday.com

“A delightful language scrapbook . . . I have found a kindred spirit in Elizabeth Little.” —Chicago Tribune

“Charming anecdotes, witty sidebars, attractive illustrations . . . Little’s strong sense of humor never overwhelms her love of languages in this fascinating yet educational introduction to linguistics for a wide, pop-savvy audience.” —Publisher’s Weekly

L'autore

ELIZABETH LITTLE is a writer and editor living in New York City. In 2003, she graduated from Harvard University with a degree in political science and language citations in Mandarin and Classical Chinese. She has worked as a literary agent and as a writer and editor for the Let’s Go guide to China, and her writing has appeared in the New York Times. This is her first book.

Su questa edizione

• Editore: Random House
• Data di pubblicazione: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0385527748
• ISBN 13: 9780385527743
• Rilegatura: Copertina flessibile
• Numero di pagine: 192