Bill Bryson - The Mother Tongue - Full Audiobook

"The Mother Tongue" is a captivating audiobook written by Bill Bryson. It explores the fascinating history, quirks, and evolution of the English language. With his signature wit and humor, Bryson takes listeners on a linguistic journey, from the origins of English to its spread around the world.
In the audiobook, Bryson delves into various aspects of language, including the challenges of spelling, the complexities of grammar, and the ever-changing nature of vocabulary. He uncovers intriguing anecdotes and trivia, highlighting the diverse influences that have shaped English over centuries, from Latin and French to Norse and Germanic languages.
Bryson also explores the global reach of English and the impact of colonialism on its development. He discusses how English became the lingua franca of science, technology, and the internet, and reflects on the challenges faced by non-native speakers who strive to master its intricacies.
Throughout the audiobook, Bryson's engaging storytelling keeps listeners entertained and informed. He shares amusing anecdotes, introduces notable figures in linguistic history, and presents thought-provoking observations about the power and beauty of language.
"The Mother Tongue" audiobook is an enlightening and entertaining exploration of the English language, offering listeners a deeper appreciation for its complexity, diversity, and cultural significance. Whether you're a language enthusiast or simply curious about the origins of the words we use every day, this audiobook is sure to entertain and educate.

[@flowertrue]

Fun story: I read this book years ago while I was still living at home. Having mislaid it one evening, I asked my mom, "Have you seen my book, Mother Tongue?" My mom, a prim and proper housewife, stared at me in horror and gasped, "What did you call me!!?"

[@ceejay3054]

I've been looking for this for years! Thank you!

[@DownhillAllTheWay]

This book is enjoyable and entertaining throughout, yet is clearly the product of a great deal of research, not only into the English language and how it has been affected by outside influences, but touches on many other languages and how they have been influenced by English. I couldn't help but wonder how Bill Bryson had discovered these facts without being able to speak those languages. I get the impression that this will be a standard for many years, for people studying, or simply taking an interest in the evolution of languages.

[@jeremiahmiller6581]

I'm enjoying this very much. Thank you!

[@stephenryan7855]

Every Bill Bryson I’ve ever read it’s been like he was writing for me. We must have similar interests. I wish he hadn’t retired but it’s well deserved nonetheless!

[@niiii_niiii]

That's exactly how I feel!

[@billieball1]

"writing for me" . . . is such a wonderful way to capture the voice that Bryson (and other masters of the craft) write in. Thank you!

[@stephenryan7855]

Thank you to the two of you for the kind words!

[@niiii_niiii]

@@stephenryan7855 💕❤️

[@spottyhag]

I didnt know he had retired. Thankyou for mentioning it.

[@sarafox5792]

Thank you

[@nata3467]

Absolutely love this book

[@mochimochi82]

When this was first published I had my personal copy and a lending copy for the people I convinced must read it. I still have the former.

[@MMG-q1v]

I started reading audiobooks about 15 years ago when I had a long commute via Golden Gate transit busses. Among the hidden advantages of audiobooks: my friends and acquaintances couldn’t borrow them

[@ainiarif6910]

Thank you for uploading. Entertaining and fun read.

[@harringtonvo]

Was really enjoying falling asleep to this til the obnoxious KZbin ad (at twice the volume of the video) jarred me outta my mindset. Wide freakin awake now :/

[@kennethtodd5873]

Premium is worth the price

[@Miri2Go]

Thank you for the warning. I won't make this my bedtime audio book.

[@dgllyn]

Ads would be fine if they just weren’t so loud!!!!

[@annbuchanan9922]

Nothing more annoying than adverts interrupting an audio book. I won't listen to this now that I know there are loud ads interrupting the narration.

[@Time_Is_Left]

0:12 chapter 1 25:25 chapter 2 1:04:07 chapter 3

[@morrisjensen1959]

I have been teaching EFL to adult for 25 years, it's a great profession.

[@pamsobaski537]

25 YEARS teaching and you now speak in texting and can't form a proper sentence--- adults!

[@aburaiqun6742]

@@pamsobaski537 exactly

[@harrykrebs]

Humorous worthy.

[@Johnwhipps-lu2nr]

1:26:41

[@ngapham-u7k]

8:27:43 chapter 13

[@majorburke9735]

In a similar way people resist mandatory language simplification, I rebel against metrics. Humans did not evolve with metrics. And even though science and mechanics seem to prosper with metrics, imperial measurements are best for the human experience with distance, speed, area, cooking and temperature.

[@chillin127]

1799 - Metric system 1824 - imperial system. What you probably mean is that you know and are familiar with one system over another.

[@majorburke9735]

@@chillin127; 1824 is when it was officially introduced. But we used units of measure before then. And I guarantee you, we used “the foot“ long before we used the arbitrary “circumference of the earth”.

[@markprosper]

6:51:21

[@Johnwhipps-lu2nr]

50:53

[@simonmoore2380]

The Japanese for foreigner means “stinking of foreign hair”? Rubbish - the word is “gaijin” which simply means “outside person”

[@geraldofaria9276]

Other terms were used to describe foreigners in old Japanese apart from gaijin and the modern gaikokujin. For instance, the Portuguese in the 16th century were the first Europeans to visit Japan; they were called nanbanjin ("southern barbarians"), and trade with them was known as the Nanban trade. When British and Dutch adventurers such as William Adams arrived in the early 17th century, they were usually known as kōmōjin ("red-haired people"), a term cognate in modern Hokkien Chinese. I believe Bill Bryson refers to a term used to describe Chinese people and their hair.

[@aburaiqun6742]

most of the book is rubbish if not all. the authors language skills are lacking even in his own mother tongue and he has the ignorance to attempt analyzing other languages and well utterly fails

[@lunzie01]

The sound quality on this is awful.

[@michaelowens5394]

Starting 1:24:57. Not sure why he beats up on Welsh pronunciation so much. All the letters have consistent sounds (more than can be said for English!), and all sounds are familiar to English speakers (except LL which is not exactly KL but close enough to be understood). They don't pronounce a few letters the way English pronounces them, but that's true for EVERY language that uses this script. Why single out Welsh? Just because they distinguish between the voiced and unvoiced "TH"? That seems to me an advantage. Just because they use W as a vowel? That is pretty useful, actually, since it distinguishes between several sounds for which English uses "OO". As he says, "at least when viewed from an English-speaking perspective." Well, why would you do that? As he says elsewhere about Latin, it's a different language!

[@michaelowens5394]

And again at 9:01:05! All those place names are easy and obvious to pronounce-and consistent, which is more than one can say for English place names!-once you know how to pronounce "w" and "ll" and "dd".

[@DownhillAllTheWay]

I suspect you are Welsh, and felt some offense at what was said about them your language. I lived around Carnarfon for 6 years, and liked Wales and the Welsh - though I never learned the language. Yet, in listening to the entire book, I didn't notice any offense to the Welsh. Is this just a matter of perception?

[@archiemustachie3693]

Copyright

[@Nonnew705]

13:54

[@robhingston]

Well, yeah you might find a few mistakes but stick it out. It's a classic

[@cornergarageproductions9182]

30:05

[@ainiarif6910]

31:10

[@markprosper]

3:35:00

[@thepaulusmaximus]

5;22;00

[@noahway13]

Az an outzider,I I zay dat viz out America, ze Brits vould be speaking in Deutsch

[@stephenridley1153]

Stopped listening when he grossly offended this Brummie 😠

[@JH-ji6cj]

Looking for hugs and shelter from an audio book comment section seems ultra weak. Did you also cup your ears and "LA-LA-LA" while it was still playing?

[@anthonymullen6300]

The English should be grateful to the French

[@Faretheewell608]

For irregular verbs?

[@davidwebster764]

We are not

[@juliaslabbert6672]

We are. That's why we named drains and condoms after them.

[@GaryRichardson-x9x]

Wilson Jose Young Christopher Robinson Edward

[@b.alexanderjohnstone9774]

If only the frogs fought Germany with the same tenacity they mustered against Greenwich Mean Time and loan words. Meanwhile up to half our words are French origin: e.g., 'surrender' ...

[@panchovalance6270]

.

[@frankirfourfingers]

Yawn

[@drew8570]

I'm only a half hour in, and he's already gotten so many "facts" wrong. For instance: Homo Sapiens and Neanderthal DID interbreed. Neanderthal DID create "art" (and it was very good).

[@mleppala1570]

Please take in to account that this book is over 30 years old. It’s science is out of date.

[@morrisjensen1959]

That's not good English, no need for DID (why capitals?) - Interbred and created are the proper verbs. (I bet you're American!)

[@morrisjensen1959]

@@mleppala1570 ... It is science?

[@JulietCharlotte-y5c]

Brown Deborah Rodriguez Melissa Lee Kimberly

[@W4HB]

What?

[@PettyRita-o3g]

Jackson Maria Moore Donald Brown Shirley

[@W4HB]

What?

[@TennysonLouis-s6p]

Clark Robert Jones Gary Thomas Karen

[@W4HB]

What?

[@someoneelse293]

Inept.... Opposite: apt?

[@Johnwhipps-lu2nr]

4:27:00

[@Johnwhipps-lu2nr]

6:42:31

[@Johnwhipps-lu2nr]

20:09

[@cornergarageproductions9182]

1:44:58

[@cornergarageproductions9182]

2:03:25

[@cornergarageproductions9182]

2:33:19

[@Johnwhipps-lu2nr]

5:44:03

[@Johnwhipps-lu2nr]

7:39:24

[@Johnwhipps-lu2nr]

8:59:05