Why Is This a Question: Everything About the Origins and Oddities of Language You Never Thought to Ask

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A fascinating exploration of the nutsand bolts of human language.

Why dont eleven and twelve end in teen The rest of our counting system sits in neatly arithmetical sets of ten, so why do these two rulebreakers seem so at odds to the numbers that follow them

Admittedly, thats probably a question youve never thought to ask. But if youre even remotely interested in the origins and oddities of language, its likely also a question youre now intrigued to know the answer to. Nor is it the only question: take a moment to think about how our language operates and even more spring mind. Why do these letters look the way they do Why are some uppercase and others lowercase Why are these words in this order How are you understanding what these seemingly arbitrary shapes and symbols mean, while doubtless hearing them read to you in a voice inside your head And what is this question mark really doing at this end of this sentence

Books explaining the origins of our languages most intriguing words and phrases have long proved popular, but they often overlook the true nuts and bolts of our languages: the origins our alphabet and writing system; grammatical rules and conventions; the sound structure of language; and even how our brains and bodies interpret and communicate language itself. Why Is This A Question redresses that balance, and explores many complex yet fascinating linguistic disciplines across its chapters, each exploring a question youve likely never thought to ask.


Praise for The Cabinet of Calm

I love this gifty and gorgeous compendium of beguiling words from which you can select to soothe the troubles that afflict you [A] warm bath of linguistic remedies. Caroline Sanderson, The Bookseller (Editors Choice: May 2020)

Fantastic . . . Exactly the book that everybody needs. Simon Mayo

Reviews

As entertaining as it is engrossing John Banville

Enlightening, delightful Arthur der Weduwen, author of The Library

Every page will make you stop, think and wonder. James Hawes, author of The Shortest History of England

Enthralling, with a riveting who knew moment on nearly every page. Caroline Taggart, author of Humble Pie and Cold Turkey

Author Bio

Paul Anthony Jones is something of a linguistic phenomenon. He runs the popular @HaggardHawks Twitter feed, blog and YouTube channel, revealing daily word facts to 60,000 engaged followers. His books include: Word Drops: A Sprinkling of Linguistic Curiosities (E&T, 2015), The Accidental Dictionary (E&T, 2016), The Cabinet of Linguistic Curiosities (E&T, 2017), Around the World in 80 Words (E&T, 2018), as well as several other books on trivia and language. He appears regularly in the media and has contributed to the Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries online. He is also a piano teacher and musician, and lives in Newcastle upon Tyne.