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Why is English so weird?

Why is English so weird?

Michael Rosen hears why our language is a bit of a mess from linguist Arika Okrent

Word of Mouth · BBC Radio 4

July 15, 202127m 57s

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Show Notes

Why do we say 'I climbed' not 'I clomb'? Why is there a 'p' in 'receipt' and not in 'deceit'? Why is 'of' spelled with a 'f' when it sounds like a 'v'?

Michael Rosen hears why from American linguist Arika Okrent. Together they talk about the strangeness of English and who is to blame for the mess.

Produced by Eliza Lomas for BBC Audio in Bristol.