The Hidden Grammar Rules We Use Without Realizing, with Author Mark Forsyth
Sketchplanations
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We speak with Mark Forsyth about the English language rules that are hidden in plain sight, including the remarkable rule all native English speakers follow without realising it: the (surprisingly strict) order of adjectives.
What our special guest on this episode, award-winning author, journalist, and etymologist Mark Forsyth, doesn’t know about the English language simply isn’t worth knowing.
We also dive into more wonders of the English language: why we say tick-tock (not tock-tick), how English naturally falls into rhythm (yes, even in everyday speech), and why poetry makes far more sense when you read it aloud. Plus, Mark shares the big idea behind his new book, Rhyme & Reason, and how poetry went from popular entertainment to something many of us feel put off by after school.
Rhyme & Reason: A History of British Poetry (For People Who Don't Usually Read Poetry): https://geni.us/forsyth-rhyme-reason
Episode Summary
00:00 Welcome & Introduction to Mark Forsyth: Wordsmith Extraordinaire
01:05 Mark Forsyth's Journey with the English Language
01:44 The Fascinating World of Words and Their Origins
02:27 Mark Forsyth's Books and Their Unique Insights
06:32 The Popularity of Poetry Through the Ages
11:06 The Decline of Poetry and Rise of Pop Lyrics
12:48 Exploring English Syntax and Adjective Order
15:03 The Intricacies of English Grammar
21:38 Fun with Language: Reduplication and Compounds
27:38 Rhyme and Reason: Poetry in Society
29:27 The Unsung Heroes of Songwriting
30:42 The Evolution of Poetry's Popularity
41:33 The Rhythms of English Language
50:54 The Charm of Limericks
54:49 The Joy of Reading Poetry Aloud
56:45 Closing Thoughts and Farewell
Sketches mentioned:
Ordering adjectives: https://sketchplanations.com/ordering...
Chiasmus: https://sketchplanations.com/chiasmus
Ablaut reduplication: https://sketchplanations.com/ablaut-r...
And you can follow Mark's musings and love of language on:
his blog The Inky Fool https://blog.inkyfool.com/
Twitter: https://x.com/Inkyfool
and Instagram: Instagram: markforsythauthor
All music on this podcast series is provided by ‪Franc Cinelli
Product links may provide commission
4 Comments
The Hidden Grammar Rules We Use Without Realizing, with Author Mark Forsyth
Sketchplanations
2,158 views
🚀 Subscribe to the newsletter: https://sketchplanations.substack.com...
đź“š Buy the book: https://sketchplanations.com/big-idea...
🖼️ Get a print: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/167...
We speak with Mark Forsyth about the English language rules that are hidden in plain sight, including the remarkable rule all native English speakers follow without realising it: the (surprisingly strict) order of adjectives.
What our special guest on this episode, award-winning author, journalist, and etymologist Mark Forsyth, doesn’t know about the English language simply isn’t worth knowing.
We also dive into more wonders of the English language: why we say tick-tock (not tock-tick), how English naturally falls into rhythm (yes, even in everyday speech), and why poetry makes far more sense when you read it aloud. Plus, Mark shares the big idea behind his new book, Rhyme & Reason, and how poetry went from popular entertainment to something many of us feel put off by after school.
Rhyme & Reason: A History of British Poetry (For People Who Don't Usually Read Poetry): https://geni.us/forsyth-rhyme-reason
Episode Summary
00:00 Welcome & Introduction to Mark Forsyth: Wordsmith Extraordinaire
01:05 Mark Forsyth's Journey with the English Language
01:44 The Fascinating World of Words and Their Origins
02:27 Mark Forsyth's Books and Their Unique Insights
06:32 The Popularity of Poetry Through the Ages
11:06 The Decline of Poetry and Rise of Pop Lyrics
12:48 Exploring English Syntax and Adjective Order
15:03 The Intricacies of English Grammar
21:38 Fun with Language: Reduplication and Compounds
27:38 Rhyme and Reason: Poetry in Society
29:27 The Unsung Heroes of Songwriting
30:42 The Evolution of Poetry's Popularity
41:33 The Rhythms of English Language
50:54 The Charm of Limericks
54:49 The Joy of Reading Poetry Aloud
56:45 Closing Thoughts and Farewell
Sketches mentioned:
Ordering adjectives: https://sketchplanations.com/ordering...
Chiasmus: https://sketchplanations.com/chiasmus
Ablaut reduplication: https://sketchplanations.com/ablaut-r...
And you can follow Mark's musings and love of language on:
his blog The Inky Fool https://blog.inkyfool.com/
Twitter: https://x.com/Inkyfool
and Instagram: Instagram: markforsythauthor
All music on this podcast series is provided by ‪Franc Cinelli
Product links may provide commission
đź“š Buy the book: https://sketchplanations.com/big-ideas-little-pictures
đź–Ľ Get a print: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/167656442?asc=u