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Biting the Wax Tadpole : Misadventures of an Armchair Linguist

by Elizabeth Little
$5.90 Now $3.90 Save 34% more
Biting the Wax Tadpole : Misadventures of an Armchair Linguist - Thryft
Biting the Wax Tadpole : Misadventures of an Armchair Linguist - Thryft

Discover fascinating language quirks in Biting the Wax Tadpole.

Biting the Wax Tadpole delves into the intricacies of different languages and their quirks, making it a great read for anyone interested in linguistics or culture. The author's witty writing style and humorous anecdotes make the book both entertaining and informative. You'll learn about the unique challenges of translating different phrases and words between languages, and gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of communication.

Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.
Sale

Biting the Wax Tadpole : Misadventures of an Armchair Linguist

by Elizabeth Little
$5.90 Now $3.90 Save 34% more
ISBN: 9780141036441
Authors: Elizabeth Little
Publisher: Penguin books
Date of Publication: 2008-01-01
Format: Paperback
Related Collections: Creative Nonfiction
Related Topics: Essays, Nonfiction Poetry
Goodreads rating: 3.59
(rated by 338 readers)

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Description

What can Johnny Cash’s lyrics teach us about the little-known Tangut dialect? Is ‘tabernacle’ really a swear word in Quebecois? Which language has absolutely no verbs? What is Earth’s politest insult? And what is biting the wax tadpole actually a translation of?*Prepare for a hilarious rollercoaster ride through hundreds of well-known, obscure, difficult, dead and even made-up languages. Elizabeth Little has waded through innumerable verb tables in every available mood and tense, untangled up to eighteen cases of noun, and wrestled with all kinds of complicated adjective, participles and glottal stops to bring you the best and most bizarre quirks of the ways people communicate all around the globe.From the language that has no different word for ‘blue’ or ‘green’, to why Icelanders need official permission to name their children, from what makes a Korean TV hit to what people might think you’re saying if you order eggs in Spain, Biting the Wax Tadpole will ensure you’re never lost for words again.*Coca-Cola, would you believe it?
Condition guide

Book Condition Guide

Books in Like New Condition

This book may contain very minor cosmetic defects, but it is in pristine condition. There should be no yellowing, no foxing, no water damage, and no annotations of any kind on the cover and the pages. For paperbacks, there should not be any crease marks on the spine. This book is good as new — lucky you!

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Very Good Condition

This book has been used, but it is still in a clean condition. There should be no foxing or annotations of any kind on the inner pages, but a sparse amount may be present on the cover, title pages, or outside edges of the book. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be light crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Good Condition

We do our best to ensure the quality of our books, but there is no escaping the wear and tear that comes with time. Slight foxing and some annotations may be present on the pages and the cover. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be several crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Well Read Condition

This is a well-read book, which means that the previous owner probably really enjoyed it! The cover and pages may include moderate foxing and annotations, but the text is not obscured and still readable. Moderate cosmetic defects and minor water damage may be present on the edges of the book. For paperbacks, there may be multiple crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

 

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Similar Reads

Discover fascinating language quirks in Biting the Wax Tadpole.

Biting the Wax Tadpole delves into the intricacies of different languages and their quirks, making it a great read for anyone interested in linguistics or culture. The author's witty writing style and humorous anecdotes make the book both entertaining and informative. You'll learn about the unique challenges of translating different phrases and words between languages, and gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of communication.

Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.