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Slip of the Tongue: Talking About Language
Drawing from personal experiences to explore a wide range of topics in linguistics, this clever memoir looks at the ways people use language to communicate, to make art, and simply to survive. It begins with descriptions of the rich linguistic history of the author’s family, her evolution as a feminist and an artist, and the influence of her lively hometown of Philadelphia. Personal and conversational, the book connects history to the present with research, interviews, and musings on digital technology and the contemporary state of the English language. Taking a traditionally niche subject outside of academia, this meditation on language examines its subjects with both intellectual vigor and tremendous heart.
158 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 20, 2014
My words are insufficient to describe my enjoyment of this book. Katie Haegele brings the reader into her thoughts and carefully works through the moment where that language made an impact on her. The essays are complete, though never fully decisive. She seems to understand that there is always more to learn and more to say on any given topic, but that what she has said is what she needs to say, at least for the moment. (I think a reading group or a meet the author event would be so interesting to be able to continue on some the themes that were started here)
Her writing style is approachable and she balances linguistic terms with a laymen’s explanation. Anyone who finds the title intriguing will enjoy this book.
I was very thankful that I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
Her writing style is approachable and she balances linguistic terms with a laymen’s explanation. Anyone who finds the title intriguing will enjoy this book.
I was very thankful that I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
January 30, 2015
I received this book as a Goodreads First Read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I minored in linguistics in college, and like Katie Haegele, I love taking language apart, discovering the ways it intertwines with culture and examining how it grows and changes. However, make no mistake; this book is no linguistics textbook. Rather, it reads like a great conversation with an old friend over a cup of coffee after linguistics class.
Most of the book is written in the first person, almost like a memoir, so when I read Chapter 18, the third person narrative seemed a little out of place to me, but when I arrived at Chapter 27 and found it to be written in the second person, I smiled, knowing it was undoubtedly intentional. It was interesting that something as simple as using different pronouns could completely change the feel of two whole chapters, and the author's experimentation with that change fit the overall theme of the book to a tee.
Obsolete words, poetry, words that exist in other languages but which have no direct translation in English, the often surprising history of words, word origins, colloquialisms, local dialects and some utterly hilarious ruminations on the Oxford comma... this book has it all!
Most of the book is written in the first person, almost like a memoir, so when I read Chapter 18, the third person narrative seemed a little out of place to me, but when I arrived at Chapter 27 and found it to be written in the second person, I smiled, knowing it was undoubtedly intentional. It was interesting that something as simple as using different pronouns could completely change the feel of two whole chapters, and the author's experimentation with that change fit the overall theme of the book to a tee.
Obsolete words, poetry, words that exist in other languages but which have no direct translation in English, the often surprising history of words, word origins, colloquialisms, local dialects and some utterly hilarious ruminations on the Oxford comma... this book has it all!
October 13, 2014
To read this book is to be indulged in the most enveloping, entertaining and exquisite language. Katie Haegele writes in a way that draws you in to her intelligent, honest and enquiring mind with such ease and assuredness.You won't want to leave her. I love this author. I read this book in two days flat and it would have taken me less time if I wasn't trying to eak it out to enjoy it for longer. I tried to pace myself - but I couldn't help myself. For lovers of language and culture as well as for language specialists, this book is enlightening and totally entertaining - bursting with Katie's generous writing style. I cannot wait for her next work - thank you Katie - I need your books.
May 17, 2017
Book started off with insightful reflections on language; how we learn and use it for many purposes . However toward the latter part of the book the author seems to get off track on personal issues and the tone changes to more like a diary read. Nonetheless I did enjoy the slant in her use of several languages at times poetic and less pedantic than expected. An easy read with humor and linguistic threads woven throughout.
January 15, 2024
I this book book in a corner of an art exhibit gift shop underneath a collection of zines and comics. I'm so glad I decided to take it home! This was a nice reprieve from other readings I've done recently. Haegele writes concise and thoughtful short stories that illuminate a sense of wonder in some fairly ordinary topics. I enjoyed getting a glimpse into the mind of a linguist. Overall a very pleasant read!
October 24, 2019
Each chapter is unconnected to the others. It's really more of a book of essays. Some were very interesting and fun to read, some were boring and I skipped over them. I liked most of the book though and finished it quickly. I especially enjoyed her observations about living in Dublin.
June 24, 2023
katie haegle.. i love you
January 6, 2024
Very much not what I expected but I still enjoyed reading it. There were lots of different topics covered and I liked reading and thinking about them all! All in all a fun, quick read.
July 10, 2024
Lots of fun facts. Thorn and eth. Backwards dictionary. La-La Theory. Yay
March 2, 2025
I learned some things from this thin book, but it maybe wasn't quite polished to get more than 3 stars. Language is so fascinating and I wanted more.
January 22, 2023
I love Katie Haegele! Especially loved the chapters on combining linguistics with art and anarchy <3
November 5, 2014
I just found out that I won this book in a First Reads giveaway. I am excited to receive and read this book. I'll post more after I've read it.
UPDATE: The first thing I have to say is that I know Katie Haegele. We've never met face-to-face, but six, eight years ago, we corresponded the old-fashioned way, via the U.S. Postal Service.
The second thing I have to say is that when I entered the giveaway for this book, I didn't realize that Katie Haegele was the author. I didn't realize she was the author when I won the book either. I didn't realize she was the author until I found a book I hadn't ordered from Microcosm Publishers in my mailbox. I quickly realized it was the book I had won when I pulled the wrapping off of it. That's when I saw Katie Haegele's name in the script I recognized from other publications of hers that I've read.
I love reading Katie Haegele's writing. I would love her writing even if we hadn't been pen pals for a while. And I guess we were pen pals because I love reading her writing.
This book is a collection of essays, most of them rather short. They range it topic from Katie's late father, to altering clothes, to graffiti artists. Language ties all the essays together.
Katie has a background in linguists and she is a writer. She is interested in language. She notices it. She contemplates it. Then she writes down her observations and some of us are lucky enough to read her thoughts.
I thought of an alternate title for this book: Hope for the Hopeless. I don't know if this book will hit other readers this way, but it lifted my spirits when I was down, gave me hope. I'm not sure if I can put my feelings into words...which is kind of ironic. I don't know how to put into words my feeling about a book about words.
I want to keep this book nearby, maybe sleep with it under my pillow. I want it close it hand so I can dip into it again when I need it.
I don't know if this review will make anyone want to read Katie's book, and that's a shame. Just trust me. Read it.
UPDATE: The first thing I have to say is that I know Katie Haegele. We've never met face-to-face, but six, eight years ago, we corresponded the old-fashioned way, via the U.S. Postal Service.
The second thing I have to say is that when I entered the giveaway for this book, I didn't realize that Katie Haegele was the author. I didn't realize she was the author when I won the book either. I didn't realize she was the author until I found a book I hadn't ordered from Microcosm Publishers in my mailbox. I quickly realized it was the book I had won when I pulled the wrapping off of it. That's when I saw Katie Haegele's name in the script I recognized from other publications of hers that I've read.
I love reading Katie Haegele's writing. I would love her writing even if we hadn't been pen pals for a while. And I guess we were pen pals because I love reading her writing.
This book is a collection of essays, most of them rather short. They range it topic from Katie's late father, to altering clothes, to graffiti artists. Language ties all the essays together.
Katie has a background in linguists and she is a writer. She is interested in language. She notices it. She contemplates it. Then she writes down her observations and some of us are lucky enough to read her thoughts.
I thought of an alternate title for this book: Hope for the Hopeless. I don't know if this book will hit other readers this way, but it lifted my spirits when I was down, gave me hope. I'm not sure if I can put my feelings into words...which is kind of ironic. I don't know how to put into words my feeling about a book about words.
I want to keep this book nearby, maybe sleep with it under my pillow. I want it close it hand so I can dip into it again when I need it.
I don't know if this review will make anyone want to read Katie's book, and that's a shame. Just trust me. Read it.
August 16, 2014
If blatant disuse of the Oxford Comma is going to send you into a white hot nerd rage, then turn back now.
If you know how much power, either positive or negative, a single word can have, then read this book. If you long to find a word for nostalgia for something that is unknowable, then read this book. If you enjoy turn of phrase, handwriting or knowing where words come from, read this book.
Slip of the Tongue: Talking About Language touches on every subject from etymology, to tagging, to history, to cultural awareness, to feminism, to change in modern society.
Through personal anecdotes author Katie Haegele writes about how language has affected her interesting life. The short windows into her life make you feel as if she is your best and oldest friend. The essays are written in a way that you really understand the linguistic moral of the story. The method she has used is much more effective then a drab, analytic overview of the English language.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is fascinated by how words work.
I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
If you know how much power, either positive or negative, a single word can have, then read this book. If you long to find a word for nostalgia for something that is unknowable, then read this book. If you enjoy turn of phrase, handwriting or knowing where words come from, read this book.
Slip of the Tongue: Talking About Language touches on every subject from etymology, to tagging, to history, to cultural awareness, to feminism, to change in modern society.
Through personal anecdotes author Katie Haegele writes about how language has affected her interesting life. The short windows into her life make you feel as if she is your best and oldest friend. The essays are written in a way that you really understand the linguistic moral of the story. The method she has used is much more effective then a drab, analytic overview of the English language.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is fascinated by how words work.
I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
November 13, 2014
I was hoping for more on the author's knowledge and experience in the academic/professional world with studying linguistics (which there were, but not as much as I had expected). I didn't care for some of her rantings (albeit brief) that went a bit off tangent (she strongly disliked people who pretend to adapt "Nerd Culture" as a fashion trend and people who joke about others who watch Jersey Shore as not being "book smart").
I liked the chapter on kaiho/Hiraeth/Sehnsucht and the meanings behind these words, and how they are loosely related to each other in meaning (but differ in terms of origin) and how there isn't an equivalent word for them in the English language. I also liked the story behind Obsolete and how it came about and her process in putting the book together.
great read overall. it has made me more interested and open to the study of linguistics.
I liked the chapter on kaiho/Hiraeth/Sehnsucht and the meanings behind these words, and how they are loosely related to each other in meaning (but differ in terms of origin) and how there isn't an equivalent word for them in the English language. I also liked the story behind Obsolete and how it came about and her process in putting the book together.
great read overall. it has made me more interested and open to the study of linguistics.
April 18, 2014
Slip of the Tongue: Talking About Language, Katie Haegele’s latest book is filled with ruminations on how we use language, how it has changed, and perhaps how it can even change us.
Filled with personal essays reminiscing on how English’s past is still part of the present, even when it doesn’t seem like it, journalism filled with warmth, and wit, Haegele will change how you think about language forever.
Check out the full review on Utne Reader.
Filled with personal essays reminiscing on how English’s past is still part of the present, even when it doesn’t seem like it, journalism filled with warmth, and wit, Haegele will change how you think about language forever.
Check out the full review on Utne Reader.
June 16, 2015
I loved this book with every fiber of my being. Katie Haegele's musings about language, her life, and the role that language plays in our society/the world is absolutely perfect. Her witticisms, hopes, fears and rawness were evident with every essay in her book. I left learning things about our language that I hadn't expected to learn going in to the book. The look into language, and how it affects our daily interactions was taken on a run with her witty chapters about greeting, and words that have changed meaning over time. This was a thoughtful look into language and individuality.
July 24, 2014
Another charming, fresh, honest book from Katie Haegele. I read this in one evening, so it really was like sitting down with a friend for tea or a good sangria and chatting the night away. But this isn't to say it's trivial or fluff; rather, it's probing, insightful, vulnerable, jovial. Plus, it's all about how we interact with language. A great read!
July 23, 2015
A refreshing treat for lovers of language and the written word. Haegele's writing style is easily approachable. Her memoirs read like short stories - each one descriptive, unique and thoughtful. I was thoroughly entertained - hands down the best random bookstore find I've ever read!
September 20, 2014
I am surprised how much I enjoyed this collection of essays. Don't be discouraged by the title. It is about life.
December 26, 2016
really, really, lovely and fun read.
March 29, 2015
funny and witty
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews