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Journeys in English
- Narrated by: Bill Bryson
- Length: 2 hrs and 47 mins
- Radio/TV Program
- Release date: 18-03-2008
- Language: English
- Publisher: BBC Worldwide Limited
Regular price: $18.74
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Publisher's Summary
This highly entertaining BBC Radio 4 series is written and presented by Bill Bryson and based on his best-selling book Mother Tongue. In it, he romps through the history of Britain to reveal how English became such an infuriatingly complex - but ultimately world-beating - language.
But why English? Why don't we speak Gallic, or any other of the European languages? According to Bryson, it's down to the remarkable ability for the English language to assimilate other vocabularies, to adapt and - above all - to survive.
From the old English words that are still in everyday use, such as 'eat', 'drink', 'man' and 'wife', to the current hybrid language of the 21st century with its many diverse dialects, Bryson, in his unique and ever-affable style, guides us through the development of English into a rich and expressive language.
Bryson explains how English has been shaped through invasion and conquest, as well as the rules that brought order to a disorderly language, the million and one ways to have fun with the English language, and the struggle with phrasal verbs (including the way things often get lost in the translation). And finally, he contemplates the future of English. Does Estuary English really Rule OK?
What members say
Average Customer Ratings
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- Joseph
- 13-07-2012
If you can read this, buy this programme!
English. Many of us who speak and read it take it for granted. But what a marvellous history it possesses.
Bill Bryson has a talent for taking complicated academic subjects and turning them into compelling stories; full of quirky anecdotes, unusual facts and memorable characters. This six-part radio series is a great example of that talent.
The story of English is fascinating. And more fascinating being told by Bryson and his collection of experts.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Carolyn
- 11-10-2011
Very entertaining and informative!
Anything Bill Bryson has done recently gets my vote - but his audio books are great, as long as they are read by himself (the other narrator who does his work rather irritates me). Journeys in English is so supremely interesting and yet an easy listen too, that I have listened to it several times. A feat only beaten by his other two fabulous books (At Home and A Brief History) which I have also listened to multiple times.
All I can hope is that he releases some more audio books before I learn his current ones verbatim.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- David
- 12-02-2010
A quick few lessons in our other tongue
With this book - following as it does the BBC Radio 4 programme or is that was the programmes gives us a taster as to the origins of our language - said by many to be the or one of the most colourful and diverse languages on the planet.
There's a problem though.. thus only 4 stars not the 5 it should have had ? Mr Bryson himself is a great author - I know I have all of his other works... BUT in my opinion he should leave the reading of them to others with greater depth of tone and rhythmical speech. William Roberts for example has read most of the other works available here and he is great in giving Mr Bryson?s books voice. The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid also suffered for the same reason.
I have been critical of other books due to the person reading and stand as I did before by the remark this is my view and who am I to criticise? I cannot claim any special knowledge or understanding in matter lyrical but I know what I like when it comes to audiobooks.
Despite this you should finish the book with a thirst ? to learn more about our great language.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- T. Fulford
- 21-07-2010
English is such a strange language
As with all Brysons books this makes for a fantasic read (or listen). There is something about the way in which he uses hunour to inspire understanding and learning. I always learn from Bryson and feel better for the humour. It is dangerous to listen to this book in a public place for fear of laughing out loud and being seen as slightly nutsy! Beware!
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- David
- 14-11-2009
Informative
Bryson's look at the history, impact and intricacies of the English language is easy to follow with interviews breaking up the narration. These breaks are welcome, however, for even though the content is varied and well put together, Bryson's voice lacks intonation. Overall I enjoyed listening to 'Journeys in English', and if you have even a small interest in our language I'm sure you will too.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Shirley
- 04-06-2016
Amusing, as ever.
Bill Brysonis always very entertaining and informative, reads the book in an easy way. Excellent mixture of fact and amusing incidents, one feels to be with him every step of the way. Would recommend it highly.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Flint
- 07-12-2014
Fascinating and very enjoyable
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes, I already have
What did you like best about this story?
It was interesting to hear how our language has evolved.
Which scene did you most enjoy?
The part about the different roots of the words for meat and words for live animals.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
It could be done because its fascinating but I listened in chunks and I listened to some parts several times.
Any additional comments?
I would recommend this book, it is very interesting.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Shannon Bullock
- 08-07-2013
Facinating Story
Would you consider the audio edition of Journeys in English to be better than the print version?
I haven't read the print version, but I really enjoyed the way the audio edition allowed people to be interviewed rather than just selected comments to be placed in the text.
What did you like best about this story?
Really interesting to understand the English language more.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
No, I listened to it over several session, which was fine as it was a number of episodes.
Any additional comments?
Fantastic.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Nike
- 01-01-2017
Fascinated
Really enjoyed this hands on approach to language. The mixture of location based narrative with examples was good.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Harold
- 26-09-2013
Disappointing
Would you try another book written by Bill Bryson or narrated by Bill Bryson?
yes, I am a fan of his, read everything else and have bought his very latest, and that was after giving up on Journeys English!
Would you ever listen to anything by Bill Bryson again?
Yes, definitely
How did the narrator detract from the book?
The subject wasn't for me.
You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?
No
Any additional comments?
No
1 of 6 people found this review helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
- Judy
- 30-04-2009
Pretty boring
I have found Bill Bryson's other books entertaining and funny, this one is soooooo boooooring.
1 of 7 people found this review helpful