Making Sense

By: David Crystal

Narrated by: David Crystal

In Making Sense, David Crystal confronts the foe of many: grammar. Once taught relentlessly to all students in the English-speaking world, grammar disappeared from most school curricula, so that terms such as preposition and conjunction now often confound children and adults alike. Explaining the nuts and bolts of grammar presents a special challenge because - far more than is the case with spelling and punctuation - the subject is burdened with a centuries-old history of educational practice that many will recall as anything but glamorous.

One of the world's foremost authorities on the English language, Crystal sets out to rid grammar of its undeserved reputation as a dry and intimidating subject, pointing out how essential grammar is to clear and effective speech and writing. He moves briskly through the stages by which children acquire grammar, along the way demystifying grammar's rules and irregularities and showing us how to navigate its snares and pitfalls. He offers the fascinating history of grammar, explaining how it has evolved from the first grammarians in ancient Greece to our 21st century digital environment of blogging, emailing, and texting. Many find grammar to be a daunting subject, but in this breezy, entertaining book, Crystal proves that grammar doesn't need to make us uneasy - we can all make sense of how we make sense.

©2017 David Crystal (P)2017 Recorded Books

Another delight from David Crystal

For this unashamed grammar nerd, David Crystal's books are always a joy. Making Sense, in particular, was utterly delightful. Crystal narrates beautifully and this book delves not only into how children learn grammar but how teachers impart its power to students.

beautiful

He even talks about the southeast Asian "lah" ending. What else is there to want?

MUST LISTEN for teachers and adult learners

One of the most useful books that could greatly help language teachers. I must buy the paperback.