From Publishers Weekly
Unlike Lynne Truss, author of the bestselling Eats, Shoots & Leaves, Australian linguist Burridge sees her role regarding language as more descriptive than prescriptive. But Truss’s fans may also enjoy dipping into this look at the ever-morphing English language. Burridge’s book developed from a series of short pieces she wrote for her down-under radio show, and it’s a delightful guide to the complexities and idiosyncrasies of the English language. The author’s own prose is graceful and easygoing as she explains why Eliza Doolittle said "absobloominlutely" and not "abbloominsolutely" and how irregularities in a language "are typically relics of past regularity." Brief sidebars focus on particular illustrations of her subject, such as the 12th-century appearance of the pronoun "she" (which prevented English from having a gender-neutral third-person pronoun) and the mystery of the disappearing l (think of "calm" and "walk"). Anyone fascinated by the vagaries of English will enjoy taking a stroll in Burridge’s blooming linguistic garden.
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Review
'Blooming English is easy to read, informative and entertaining ... Anyone interested in the English language should get it. Enjoy!' Herald Sun 'In Blooming English Burridge has wrested our beloved language away from fusty and pedantic linguists and championed its ability to grow and develop. Her passion for the complexities of language fuels this book and really rubbed off on me.' (publication not known) 'Burridge observes the unruly garden of language with the dedication and wonder of a seasoned botanist. Her enthusiasm is infectious.' The Age 'She has a wonderful ability to make quite complex linguistic issues accessible to a general audience, often with the aid of wit and humour.' Australian Book Review 'Burridge writes 'racial and ethnic swearwords are the true obscenities. Their use is so provocative as to have legal consequences'.' Times Literary Supplement '... a fascinating little book ...' Writers Forum '... a book, which far from being a dry study in linguistics, is eminently readable and infused by a dry sense of humour.' Writing Magazine 'Blooming English is an enjoyable browse, with fascinating insights into a wide range of questions concerning the English language. It is erudite yet light-hearted, and well informed while being accessible.' The Times Higher Education Supplement 'Blooming English is a well-researched and neatly edited introduction into the world of linguistics for non- specialists. This is in particular due to Kate Burridge's extraordinary talent for explaining rather complicated linguistic topics in a way that is accessible to non-linguists, which is greatly facilitated by her wonderful enthusiasm ... its casual style makes Blooming English excellent reading ... It therefore is highly recommendable to language enthusiasts, no matter whether professional or amateur.' Robert Mailhammer, LINGUIST List
