Author(s): Stephen Fry

Audio

Stephen Fry explores the highways and byways of the English language in these four programmes, as heard on BBC Radio 4. "So Wrong It's Right" - Stephen examines how 'wrong' English can become right English. With help from a lexicographer, an educationalist, a "Times" sub-editor and a judge, Stephen examines the way in which usage changes language. "Speaking Proper" - It may be that elocution classes for children are being replaced with 'presentation skills' courses for adults, but we still see effective communication as the key to success. Here, Stephen investigates what nowadays counts as 'speaking proper'. "Hello" - Stephen says 'goodbye' with a programme about 'hello', and how it came to be one of the world's favourite words. "The Joy of Gibberish" - Stephen investigates the phenomenon of gibberish - what it is, why we write (and speak and sing) it, and why we enjoy it so much. 'Stephen Fry's...series on the English language is as stimulating as ever' - "Observer". 'It's all great fun' - "Guardian".