{"product_id":"why-is-this-a-question-von-paul-anthony-jones","title":"Why Is This a Question?","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'As entertaining as it is engrossing'\u003c\/b\u003e John Banville \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy don't \u003ci\u003eeleven\u003c\/i\u003e and\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003etwelve\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e 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 with the numbers that follow them?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAdmittedly, that's probably a question that might never have occurred to you. But if you're even remotely interested in the origins and oddities of language, it's likely also a question you're now intrigued to know the answer to.\u003c\/b\u003e 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? \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Books explaining the origins of our most intriguing words and phrases have long proved popular, but they often overlook the true nuts and bolts of language: the origins of 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. \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eWhy Is This a Question?\u003c\/i\u003e is a fascinating and enlightening exploration of linguistic questions you've likely never thought to ask.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Every page will make you stop, think and wonder'\u003c\/b\u003e James Hawes, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Shortest History of England\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Enthralling, with a riveting \"who knew?\" moment on nearly every page'\u003c\/b\u003e Caroline Taggart, author of \u003ci\u003eHumble Pie and Cold Turkey\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"aw-variant-hidden-subtitle-div\" id=\"aw-variant-subtitle-9781783967025\"\u003e\u003ch3\u003eEverything about the Origins and Oddities of Language You Never Thought to Ask\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Autorenwelt Shop","offers":[{"title":"Softcover - 9781783967025","offer_id":50127797944645,"sku":"9781783967025","price":14.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0940\/0622\/files\/6c37868a-0ab2-46e2-9369-8c82011370f5.jpg?v=1779077254","url":"https:\/\/shop.autorenwelt.de\/en\/products\/why-is-this-a-question-von-paul-anthony-jones","provider":"Autorenwelt Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}