Here Now

Unpacking The Mysteries of English Grammar


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Two linguists delve into the mysteries of English grammar with their new book on more than just misplaced apostrophes - asking fundamental questions like what is good grammar or correct form anyway with evolving languages?

What happens when a Romanian and British academic meet in New Zealand? They co-author a book about linguistics of course.

Bucharest-born Dr Andreea Calude and Dr Laurie Bauer released their book The Mysteries of the English Grammar earlier this year, hoping to shed light on riddles beyond just misplaced apostrophes and prepositions, but also on why there's no "right answer" often.

In this episode of Voices, they speak to Kadambari Raghukumar on the book and how moving to New Zealand shaped their lives' work in linguistics.

English is the most described of all languages - there is so much research into its complexities that it's surprising that so much ambiguity still persists - what is good grammar or correct form?

"All language evolves and there is no one right answer" says Laurie.

But what is the difference between extending our language and actually making a mistake?

The book acknowledges the learner's idea of language hell beyond just misplaced apostrophes and prepositions, but also the way language evolves in changing societies.

Listen to the full in this week's episode of Voices

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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