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Miracle of Language
The author of Crazy English celebrates the English language, discussing why it is the most widely spoken one, the inherent prejudices in it, the pitfalls of it, and more. Reprint.
272 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1992
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About the author
Richard Lederer
108Ìýbooks63ÌýfollowersRichard Lederer is the author of more than 35 books about language, history, and humor, including his best-selling Anguished English series and his current book, The Gift of Age. He has been profiled in magazines as diverse as The New Yorker, People, and the National Enquirer and frequently appears on radio as a commentator on language. He has been named International Punster of the Year and Toastmasters International's Golden Gavel winner.
He is the father of author and poet Katy Lederer and poker players Howard Lederer and Annie Duke.
He is the father of author and poet Katy Lederer and poker players Howard Lederer and Annie Duke.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 15, 2021
Although it is obvious that Richard Lederer clearly loves language, and while yes, there certainly is much interesting linguistic information presented in The Miracle of Language, there frustratingly and sadly is once again quite a bit too much of a “superiority of the English language� attitude displayed, thankfully not as much and as overtly as in the author’s truly nauseating Crazy English, but still too considerable for my personal and academic reading and language comfort level (as while yes, English is of course the most popular and the most commonly used world language today, sorry Mr. Lederer, this is not because English is somehow inherently linguistically superior to other languages, but mostly because of economics, because of commerce and indeed that English is generally being universally taught as the main second language on a global level). Combined with the fact that I also do find it rather strangely uninformed for Richard Lederer to claim that English in particular is supposedly a bigoted language, when nearly ALL of the examples he has chosen to support this do not only appear in English, but actually are present in the vast majority of world languages (for example, the inherent negativity surrounding the adjective left, which is very much the same in English, German, French, Spanish and so on and so on), I really do have to actively and majorly question just how much of a universal linguist Richard Lederer really is. For yes and in my opinion, it certainly does seem as though Lederer really only knows the English language all that well and all that thoroughly and thus he seems to base all of his philosophies and language, linguistic themed attitudes on English and only and solely on it (which is both annoying and misleading at best, and indeed especially for this particular book, as while the book title The Miracle of Language sure does imply language in a general and universal manner, Richard Lederer’s presented text really does for the most part focus almost exclusively on English).
November 11, 2018
If you cherish and celebrate words, favorite authors, the English language and its history, you will more than likely find this an excellent read; the book was written in 1991. It's a book I'll open again and again, simply to cherry pick and read the stories within.
Continued thoughts...
...regarding authors: William Shakespeare, Samuel Johnson, Lewis Carroll, Mark Twain, Emily Dickinson, T.S. Eliot, George Orwell are authors whom Lederer gives to each his/her own chapter although plenty of other writer are mentioned throughout. I think what this book does however, is motivates me to think of other authors or author/illustrators whom I enjoy, whose lives and writing styles would make an interesting exploration. The Miracle of Language inspires a person to go deeper into their own world of books.
... regarding language: "... although Anglo-Saxon is the foundation of the English language, more than 70 percent of our words have been imported from other lands...."; the stories of Helen Keller, Richard Wright, Malcolm X and Anne Frank speak of the liberating power of language. One of The Miracle of Language chapters is titled "The Case for Short Words": "Here is a sound rule: Use small, old words where you can. If a long word says just what you want to say, do not fear to use it. But know that our tongue is rich in crisp, brisk, swift, short words. Make them the spine and the heart of what you speak and write. Short words are like fast friends. They will not let you down.";
other chapter headings: "Brave New Words of the 1980s", "Is English Prejudiced?", "Words We Need", "The Department of Redundancy Department", One Word Can Change the World".
Again, for the lover of the English language, a very interesting read.
Continued thoughts...
...regarding authors: William Shakespeare, Samuel Johnson, Lewis Carroll, Mark Twain, Emily Dickinson, T.S. Eliot, George Orwell are authors whom Lederer gives to each his/her own chapter although plenty of other writer are mentioned throughout. I think what this book does however, is motivates me to think of other authors or author/illustrators whom I enjoy, whose lives and writing styles would make an interesting exploration. The Miracle of Language inspires a person to go deeper into their own world of books.
... regarding language: "... although Anglo-Saxon is the foundation of the English language, more than 70 percent of our words have been imported from other lands...."; the stories of Helen Keller, Richard Wright, Malcolm X and Anne Frank speak of the liberating power of language. One of The Miracle of Language chapters is titled "The Case for Short Words": "Here is a sound rule: Use small, old words where you can. If a long word says just what you want to say, do not fear to use it. But know that our tongue is rich in crisp, brisk, swift, short words. Make them the spine and the heart of what you speak and write. Short words are like fast friends. They will not let you down.";
other chapter headings: "Brave New Words of the 1980s", "Is English Prejudiced?", "Words We Need", "The Department of Redundancy Department", One Word Can Change the World".
Again, for the lover of the English language, a very interesting read.
August 4, 2017
The insults to your intelligence begin right in the introduction, where you'll find a stupidly self-aggrandizing, obviously fictional anecdote about a policeman rewarding him for criticizing the officer's grammar during a traffic stop ("Are you the guy who writes those books about language?").
Then there's the pitifully shallow chapter on biased language, that can't decide how seriously to treat its subject;
Then there's the chapter on redundancy, where the author hilariously twists himself into linguistic pretzels to avoid overusing the word "redundancy";
Then there's the WTF chapter where he rhapsodizes on how unique and inimitable Emily Dickinson is, then prints some poems by his middle school English pupils, claiming that they've captured her spirit exactly. (!!)
He seems to be trying to Frankenstein together the remaining miscellany of his notebooks into an abomination that's part trivia and part lazy analysis; yet he also wants to be admired as a scholar and an authority. Predictably, he fails at everything, and cheapens every subject he touches.
This book will punish you, not reward you, for reading it.
Then there's the pitifully shallow chapter on biased language, that can't decide how seriously to treat its subject;
Then there's the chapter on redundancy, where the author hilariously twists himself into linguistic pretzels to avoid overusing the word "redundancy";
Then there's the WTF chapter where he rhapsodizes on how unique and inimitable Emily Dickinson is, then prints some poems by his middle school English pupils, claiming that they've captured her spirit exactly. (!!)
He seems to be trying to Frankenstein together the remaining miscellany of his notebooks into an abomination that's part trivia and part lazy analysis; yet he also wants to be admired as a scholar and an authority. Predictably, he fails at everything, and cheapens every subject he touches.
This book will punish you, not reward you, for reading it.
March 21, 2013
Richard Lederer’s “The Miracle of Language� is a treat for those who love language, both readers and teachers. This 1991 book has generally aged well, though an update would be in order to consider the effect of the Internet on language, especially email, and the coming of ebooks. A chapter devoted to a celebration of letter-writing seems altogether from another era. The book is a potpourri of different takes on language—some study the impact of authors such as Shakespeare while others pay tribute to books, words and libraries. A few chapters read like the comedy bits of George Carlin or Jerry Seinfeld, having fun with puns and homophones. If there’s one thing Lederer’s book suffers from, it’s an overreliance on quotations which comes across as padding. “The Miracle of Language� is short but light, probably a great gift book for the reader, English teacher, or librarian in your family. It doesn’t really delve into how language can provoke or excite or shock; it’s just happy reminding us to appreciate it in a “Reader’s Digest� article kind of way.
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September 11, 2012I loved it, but nothing else quite comes close to the joy to be found within the pages of
March 14, 2018
If you have a lifelong unrestrained love for the English language, you owe it to yourself to read—no, to immerse yourself—in this book. You’re going to look at that copyright date, and you’re going to smugly point out that the book is some 37 years old; how could it possibly have value? If you read this, you will dog-ear, underline, and maybe even memorize pieces of this to go back and reread.
When he wrote this book, the author had a column that was apparently syndicated that dealt with the miracle that is English. He begins this book by expressing awe that a language that was once so backward and so uninfluential has come to be the verbal currency in which the entire globe trades. Lederer asserts here that English’s influence is a direct result of its willingness to pull into it words from every other language on Earth. He even gives you multiple examples.
Essentially, this book is a series of essays he has written about the language, and they are all top flight, highly readable, and most worthy of your time.
He deals with the fact that every time you and I utter or write a sentence, we are inventing language, since that sentence has likely never been used before or by anyone else in the same way. I’ve never thought of it that way, but that is a powerful concept indeed.
Naturally, there is a Shakespeare section here, and one on Samuel Johnson and Ambrose Biers.
Emily Dickenson gets referenced here in the section on poetry, as does Mark Twain in an essay on uniquely American writing.
If you find books like this just boring and awful, at least download it and read the super-short section on the word that horrifically altered or ended the lives of 150,000 people. But I suspect once you start, you’ll be hooked.
This is not a grammar book that grinds on people for incorrect usage of the language. Rather, it is a celebration of the language in all its majesty, variety, and beauty.
There’s an essay here on libraries that will touch your heart, and the essay on the value of books is one you’ll come back to repeatedly if only for the highly quotable bits others have written about the value of books.
When he wrote this book, the author had a column that was apparently syndicated that dealt with the miracle that is English. He begins this book by expressing awe that a language that was once so backward and so uninfluential has come to be the verbal currency in which the entire globe trades. Lederer asserts here that English’s influence is a direct result of its willingness to pull into it words from every other language on Earth. He even gives you multiple examples.
Essentially, this book is a series of essays he has written about the language, and they are all top flight, highly readable, and most worthy of your time.
He deals with the fact that every time you and I utter or write a sentence, we are inventing language, since that sentence has likely never been used before or by anyone else in the same way. I’ve never thought of it that way, but that is a powerful concept indeed.
Naturally, there is a Shakespeare section here, and one on Samuel Johnson and Ambrose Biers.
Emily Dickenson gets referenced here in the section on poetry, as does Mark Twain in an essay on uniquely American writing.
If you find books like this just boring and awful, at least download it and read the super-short section on the word that horrifically altered or ended the lives of 150,000 people. But I suspect once you start, you’ll be hooked.
This is not a grammar book that grinds on people for incorrect usage of the language. Rather, it is a celebration of the language in all its majesty, variety, and beauty.
There’s an essay here on libraries that will touch your heart, and the essay on the value of books is one you’ll come back to repeatedly if only for the highly quotable bits others have written about the value of books.
March 31, 2018
The book jacket information promises us that author Richard Lederer has penned a love letter to the English language. And that's exactly what this remarkable collection of his newspaper columns provides. Every contribution reminded me of just how much influence our language has had on the world and how truly remarkable English really is.
I especially enjoyed his column dealing with all of the words Shakespeare added to our language and the essay paying tribute to books and reading is one I'll return to throughout my life.
You owe it to yourself to read this well conceived collection; you'll come away with a renewed appreciation of a language we far too often take for granted.
I especially enjoyed his column dealing with all of the words Shakespeare added to our language and the essay paying tribute to books and reading is one I'll return to throughout my life.
You owe it to yourself to read this well conceived collection; you'll come away with a renewed appreciation of a language we far too often take for granted.
February 1, 2010
This book really got me excited about language, reading, writing, the whole gamut. It is laugh out loud entertaining for the first half; maybe even 2/3. Then he reverted into just page after page of quotes by others about poetry, words, writing and on and on. I would read maybe 20 quotes and then skip to the end of the list hoping the next chapter would be like the first part of the book. It never happened. The last 1/3 of the book is great if you are looking for a quote, but it is not smooth reading. If I could rate the different parts of the book separately several chapters would get 5 stars. Other chapters would get 1 or 2 stars. Overall, I have to give it 4 stars because I'm glad I read it. I just have to borrow a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson that Mr. Lederer had in one of his lists, "I hate quotations. Tell me what you know."
January 2, 2013
I enjoy books about language and words, so naturally I greatly enjoyed this book. Lederer quotes many authors and writers--many of whom I have read and many whom I have not heard of before. I like reading these quotes, as I can relate back to what I know about the writer and time period or look them up. For example, we just read "Shooting an Elephant" by George Orwell in my English class. Lederer mentions how Orwell spent time abroad in Burma as a sergeant with the Imperial Indian Police. My mind immediately jumped back to the piece we had read, since we had debated whether or not Orwell was the narrator. I enjoyed Lederer's comments on the other famous writers, Shakespeare, Mark Twain, Emily Dickinson, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson. This book is not for everyone, but if you love language, its origins, history, and mysteries, then I definitely recommend it.
November 19, 2018
It is clear that the author loves language and is extremely knowledgeable. This book shines in the early chapters in its explorations of the origins of English, redundancies across the different sources and their differences in connotations, the nature of puns, early dictionaries, and much more. I found the dictionary section to be very interesting - it presents the dictionaries of Samuel Johnson and Ambrose Bierce.
As the book proceeds, it loses the focus on language in its own right, and discusses numerous authors, libraries, poetry, letter-writing, and again, more. A couple of the later chapters are list-like in their presentation of quotes that the author likes on books and words. While these quotes are on-point and interesting, the litany of them becomes fairly tedious.
As the book proceeds, it loses the focus on language in its own right, and discusses numerous authors, libraries, poetry, letter-writing, and again, more. A couple of the later chapters are list-like in their presentation of quotes that the author likes on books and words. While these quotes are on-point and interesting, the litany of them becomes fairly tedious.
October 11, 2011
This book is a gold mine of information about the idiosyncrasies of our language. Anyone who likes to play with words will love this book which covers topics such as neologisms, redundancies, puns and the contributions to the English language of writers such as Shakespeare and Mark Twain. When I saw how many new words have entered the English vocabulary since 1950, I was astounded.
March 18, 2016
The Department of Redundancy Department chapter was a funny take on how we misuse the language in all forums, especially advertising. What does "100% pure" and "New and Improved" mean? Redundance everywhere.
The book also filled me with a lot of quotations to remember. His writing is so pure, that you have to read it twice to grasp how different the style is from other authors.
The book also filled me with a lot of quotations to remember. His writing is so pure, that you have to read it twice to grasp how different the style is from other authors.
August 12, 2009
Language is incredible. English is amazing. This book will help you to be more appreciative of something we generally take for granted.
(though if I had to choose just one book on the subject, I think I still prefer "Mother Tongue")
(though if I had to choose just one book on the subject, I think I still prefer "Mother Tongue")
June 1, 2010
I really enjoyed this book, though like many others I was disappointed that it basically devolved into page after page of quotes. Still, the first two-thirds or so of the book were very interesting and entertaining. Who knew that a book about language could be educational AND fun?
January 16, 2013
I think Richard Lederer should have his own holiday, when we all pay homage to this amazing man and vow to clean up our grammar and write something that shines. He is inspiring, he is brilliant, he is funny, he is a national treasure.
Want to read
January 23, 2009Saw this at a bookswap. Looks interesting. someone else picked it up so I noted the name down....
June 6, 2009
Richard Lederer is a JOY. How lucky we all are to be sharing the same planet with him! And at the same time, too! Must be magic.
January 20, 2014
A great book, but it is not by Lederer, but by Laird, who was a professor at the University of Nevada, Reno. I used to recommend it to English teachers.
July 17, 2012
The Miracle of Language is the most pleasant whimsical and thought sparking read I've enjoyed in a long time. This reminds me that I love books and words and classic authors. Refreshing!
June 17, 2013
I loved the first half of this book, but when it got to the second half, where he listed page after page of quotations about books, words, etc., it lost much of its magic.
August 9, 2015
If I could give it four and a half stars, I would. Very solid language book with ample humor and humility. I will read more from this author.
March 21, 2016
Delightful book for all linguaphiles and verbivores. Includes history of English language, suggestions for good writing, and wonderful wordplay and puns.
April 9, 2016
I enjoyed the begining of this book. Learned much about the English language, but the end seemed to fall aprt into seperate essays. Enjoyable. I would give it 3.5 stars if I could.
June 3, 2016
A treat. Richard is fun-nee and clever,clever. Just gotta read this one. The world of words and books....can I stay?
January 3, 2025
Welcome to Richard Lederer's beguiling celebration of language -- of our ability to utter, write, and receive words. No purists need stop here. Mr. Lederer is no linguistic sheriff organizing posses to hunt down and string up language offenders. Instead, join him "In Praise of English," and discover why the tongue described in Shakespeare's day as "of small reatch" has become the most widely spoken language in history.
Loved it. I love the words & the fun you can have with them. That Shakespeare guy was a useful chap when it came to developing the English language. The author knows & enjoys his stuff. Now I'm off the apply for that Linguistics Degree :0)
Loved it. I love the words & the fun you can have with them. That Shakespeare guy was a useful chap when it came to developing the English language. The author knows & enjoys his stuff. Now I'm off the apply for that Linguistics Degree :0)
January 24, 2023
3.5 stars
This is an odd book. The first third is all about wordplay and is a lot of fun to read. The second third is dedicated to specific authors and their contributions to literature and the English language. Interesting, but not as gripping. The last chunk is mainly filled with pages and pages of quotes, fragments of other works, or letters. This felt unnecessary. I was enjoying the stuff the Lederer was writing, but it felt like the quotes were all padding, especially since it was many many MANY pages of them, all back to back. Felt a bit cheap, that part.
This is an odd book. The first third is all about wordplay and is a lot of fun to read. The second third is dedicated to specific authors and their contributions to literature and the English language. Interesting, but not as gripping. The last chunk is mainly filled with pages and pages of quotes, fragments of other works, or letters. This felt unnecessary. I was enjoying the stuff the Lederer was writing, but it felt like the quotes were all padding, especially since it was many many MANY pages of them, all back to back. Felt a bit cheap, that part.
April 7, 2018
I love words and I love books about words. I had no idea what this book was about, and even while reading it, had no idea where it would take me. But, it was a fantastic voyage.
March 10, 2023
Fun love letter to language. Nothing profound, just a light and entertaining read.
March 29, 2025
entertaining for the first half but then devolves into helllllaaaaaa quotes that i skip over.
also english is not inherently superior to other languages lil bruh
also english is not inherently superior to other languages lil bruh
April 1, 2019
A fun exploration and celebration of the English language. Although it is dated, it is amusing and enlightening through to the end. Apparently Coca- Cola translates in Chinese to ‘bite the wax tadpole�.
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