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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
I picked up this (audio)book primarily hoping for a look at how different generations are inclined to write (think: emailing with students vs. older colleagues), and how miscommunications can happen. There was a bit of that, but SO much more.
For starters, the author points out that, while spoken language has always has formal (speeches, TV newscasters, etc) and informal (fast conversations among friends) versions, writing has always been extremely dominated by more formal versions. Even personal letters in the pre-digital era usually exhibited a certain level of formality and "thoughtful composition" that don't really mirror an animated conversation among close friends. Truly informal, rapid-fire, unedited, conversational writing (think: texting, IM/chatting, etc) essentially only became prominent in the last couple decades, and along with it a fairly new, pressing need to efficiently communicate tone and gestures and other nonverbal cues. A good chunk of this book explores those techniques and norms and shortcuts, taking them seriously from a linguistic perspective. She also turns this perspective on emoji, memes, and other "internet culture" topics.
This book was fun, funny, fascinating, and fast-paced enough for my short attention span (never lingering over-long on any topic). The author read the audio version – she did fantastic (with authentic nerdy enthusiasm), and I can’t imagine it succeeding any other way (with all the silly voices and internet jokes, and even some authorial asides/tidbits specific to the audio version).
Highly recommended!!
For starters, the author points out that, while spoken language has always has formal (speeches, TV newscasters, etc) and informal (fast conversations among friends) versions, writing has always been extremely dominated by more formal versions. Even personal letters in the pre-digital era usually exhibited a certain level of formality and "thoughtful composition" that don't really mirror an animated conversation among close friends. Truly informal, rapid-fire, unedited, conversational writing (think: texting, IM/chatting, etc) essentially only became prominent in the last couple decades, and along with it a fairly new, pressing need to efficiently communicate tone and gestures and other nonverbal cues. A good chunk of this book explores those techniques and norms and shortcuts, taking them seriously from a linguistic perspective. She also turns this perspective on emoji, memes, and other "internet culture" topics.
This book was fun, funny, fascinating, and fast-paced enough for my short attention span (never lingering over-long on any topic). The author read the audio version – she did fantastic (with authentic nerdy enthusiasm), and I can’t imagine it succeeding any other way (with all the silly voices and internet jokes, and even some authorial asides/tidbits specific to the audio version).
Highly recommended!!
Dude, awesome. So good! You don't need to have an interest in linguistics to enjoy this book-- anyone who has used the internet for any amount of time, regardless of how "internet-savvy" they consider themselves, will surely enjoy it. McCulloch puts words to the cultural development that happens online in a way that's witty, aware, and highly entertaining. Definitely worth a read, or at the very least, check out McCulloch's linguistics podcast, co-hosted with Lauren Gawne, "Lingthusiasm".
Fascinating look at linguistics on the internet, chronologically and generationally. This book is really interesting in itself, but also helpful in a professional context. She raises important points about how and why different people communicate the way they do in emails, texts, and anywhere online. I learned quite a bit from this book.
informative
medium-paced
I loved Gretchen's columns on The Toast, but for some reason this book just didn't compel me, and I found parts tedious to get through even though the subject matter is interesting.
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
I listened to the audiobook and Gretchen is a droll narrator, but sometimes she reads so fast it feels like she is speeded up.
I think because I was listening during the most dystopian period our society has ever faced (the Musk Coup of 2025) I could not concentrate on the material. I am sure it was very interesting.
I think because I was listening during the most dystopian period our society has ever faced (the Musk Coup of 2025) I could not concentrate on the material. I am sure it was very interesting.