The Science of Words by George Miller (Scientific American Library,
$19.95, ISBN 0 7167 6016 9) is sheer enjoyment from start to finish.
Fascination with words has three facets—meaning, pronunciation and
context—he claims. Speakers and writers exploit all three, mainly
unconsciously. This is a near miraculous human achievement and the book ranges
over it with such relish that exhilaration supervenes. Superb illustrations.
More from New ÒÁÈ˾þÃ
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Life
New ÒÁÈ˾þà recommends a brilliant take on the evolution of birds
Culture
Environment
Striking photos show how sands are encroaching on oases in the Sahara
Regulars
Comment
Think you have a good sense of humour? So do most people…
Regulars
Comment
Sci-fi horror film Backrooms is a triumph for its 20-year-old director
Culture
Popular articles
Trending New ÒÁÈ˾þà articles
1
Fully autonomous drones have killed human soldiers for the first time
2
Mysterious ‘cold blob’ in the Atlantic suggests the AMOC is weakening
3
Dinosaur-killing asteroid impact site stayed hot for millions of years
4
Why we should all take quantum physics extremely personally
5
Understanding anorexia’s grip on the brain could unlock new therapies
6
Millions of fossil whale bones found in deep-ocean ‘necropolis’
7
Pancreatic cancer halted by virus injection in three patients
8
Wildlife thrives in solar farm built on restored peatland
9
A nuclear war between India and Pakistan could destroy the ozone layer
10
Unpicking endometriosis reveals how it affects more than the pelvis
