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You Say Potato: A Book About Accents
- Narrated by: David Crystal, Ben Crystal, Jane Savage, Hilton McRae
- Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins
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Publisher's summary
An authoritative, entertaining book about our accents and what they say about us.
Some people say 'sconn' while others say 'schown'. He says 'bath' while she says 'bahth'. You say 'potayto'. I say 'potahto'. And - wait a second, no one says 'potahto'. No one's ever said 'potahto'. Have they?
From reconstructing Shakespeare's accent to the rise and fall of received pronunciation, actor Ben Crystal and his linguist father, David, travel the world in search of the stories of spoken English. Everyone has an accent, though many of us think we don't. We all have our likes and dislikes about the way other people speak, and everyone has something to say about 'correct' pronunciation.
But how did all these accents come about, and why do people feel so strongly about them? Are regional accents dying out as English becomes a global language? And most importantly of all: what went wrong in Birmingham? Witty, authoritative, and jam-packed full of fascinating facts, You Say Potato is a celebration of the myriad ways in which the English language is spoken - and how our accents, in so many ways, speak louder than words.
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What listeners say about You Say Potato: A Book About Accents
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- Matt Dobler
- 07-01-16
Wish there were more native recordings.
Big fan, but I kind of wish there were more recordings by native speakers of the language. Also very British centric, American listeners (like me) might have trouble keeping up with the pop culture and geographic references.
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4 people found this helpful
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- Lumpus
- 11-20-18
Good, but a Bit Frustrating
I found this book interesting, but frustrating. Written by a father-son team, the book is inconsistent in its approach. I was hoping to learn how and why accents arise, but I didn’t really get that. Also, the book focuses primarily on British accents, with little information on accents in other English-speaking countries.
The son talks about his personal experiences as an actor and how accents played into his roles, but he often lapses into simple self-indulgence and false humility. For instance, the book starts with an anecdote about how he lost an acting job because he could not convey a particular color with his voice. I never figured out what that had to do with accents, and yet it is presented a prelude to something big; it’s not.
The father’s parts of the book are considerably more interesting, although he often lapses into excruciating technical detail of little use to the layman. He also assumes and in-depth knowledge of British geography which, as an American, I lack. (OK, before you make a crack about me being in uneducated and/or chauvinist American, consider this. It’s true I couldn’t find Manchester or Birmingham on a map, but We are even, because I could not find Virginia on a map).
On the positive side, the book opened my eyes to the importance of accents ways I had not considered. An accent can affect someone’s likelihood to be convicted in a trial, their sentence if convicted, their ability to attract a life partner, their likelihood to be accepted at a job interview, or to obtain housing. The authors are very passionate about this topic, and I credit them for opening my eyes to those issues. An accent says nothing more about someone than how they learned to speak and where they grew up. I had nothing to do with their intelligence, moral character, or social standings.
Also, in a book about accents it’s almost essential to listen to an audio version of the book, instead of reading. In this regard, both the father and son really shine. Both of them have mastered many accents — including some American accents –– and can convey them with great subtlety.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall
- David Heberling
- 03-01-18
An excellent book
The narration is great from both authors. It is rather technical in explanations of voice distinctions, but this is why I really like this book, and it is very well done. The content is comprehensive, the pace measured, and new insights in every section and paragraph. It took me a long time to finish the book, because I kept going back to repeat sections. Addictive listening. 6 stars.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Basil Sands
- 04-25-16
As an Audiobook Narrator I found this Book Awesome
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
I have recommended it for all of my performing arts friends both in the UK and North America. Awesome discussion of accents and dialects that can really help any performer understand a bit about what we do.
What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
David and Ben have great chemistry for a father/son team. Terrific blend of knowledge and entertainment.
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- Arturo
- 05-18-22
Phenomenal accent reflection
I don’t think I would suggest other book to start in the world of English accents.
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- Omega
- 08-01-18
wonderful
I am bettered by having had read/listened to this book. ( these words added for character limit)
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- Pat
- 01-22-18
Entertaining AND informative.
The narration was the best part. David and Ben demonstrating each accent or sound. Thanks.
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- Lois Thompson
- 10-05-17
Fun with Language
The English language no less and I can never get enough.
Our two writers are of course professionals in their fields, David Chrystal in linguistics and his son Ben in acting, but they are both easily comprehensible to the ordinary language enthusiast and I mean that phrase in both senses.
One can not even think of either narrator being anything but stellar.
Thanks, guys.
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- Matt
- 07-05-15
Half this book is fascinating...
David Crystal's sections of this audiobook are well-researched, detailed and often fascinating, even if his attempts at depicting the accents he's describing are often woeful. His son Ben's contributions, however, are nothing more than a tedious collection of weak autobiographical anecdotes, thrown together to illustrate minor points, and delivered in an awkward style that attempts to be conversational. One chapter takes 20 minutes to tell us that actors using their own accent are sometimes more convincing, and apparently requires an entire recitation of 'Now, gods, stand up for bastards...' to make the point. I ended up skipping half the chapters.
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5 people found this helpful
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- JRH
- 09-27-21
Very interesting
A well illustrated, wide ranging, at times humourous, account of accents and how they have changed across time and space.
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- Katinka Zeven
- 07-26-21
Thoroughly enjoyable
You Say Potato is a wonderful mix between linguistic research and great anecdotes. Interesting and thoroughly enjoyable - not least because of David and Ben Crystal’s voices.
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- T D
- 06-04-20
informative and entertaining
good audio book when hearing the examples made it more meaningful. Needs less about London.
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- Fran
- 05-17-20
Fabulous!
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
I totally and utterly adored it, from start to end. What an amazing adventure!
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- Submal
- 05-14-20
A very interesting book but with a ton of waffle
I feel like this could have been an excellent book if it didn't focus a lot on theatre and acting. It ruined the pacing in my opinion and it could have done without it. Furthermore, I feel like exploring the sounds of different accents was not explored to its full potential even though it could have. I did enjoy this book and I thought David Crystal and Ben Crystal are excellent narrators. I only wish they focused a lot more on original pronunciation. I will definitely be listening to this a few more times in the future.
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- PN Orton
- 05-17-18
Loved it.
Well written and well read. I love the idea of having my sat nav voiced in OP!
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- Alek
- 05-09-18
Entertainingly informative and very well performed
The book is read by both authors: dad with a linguistic background and his son, a voice actor. The performance is impeccable and the content of the book will not only serve the linguistic geeks well, but will also be useful advertisers, marketing people and people who would like to know everything :D I particularly loved the bits about astrolinguistics (made me think of its origins, too) and this dialogue structure of the book.
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- JaisyW
- 02-03-18
Interesting audiobook about accent
Impressive comments about stereotypes and prejudicial judgements based on regional accents. Cute accent jokes and interesting performance by the father and the son. I would recommend this book to friends interested in English accent and those who learn linguistics.
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- Alejandra Garcia Romero
- 09-22-17
Fantastic book about accents
What did you like most about You Say Potato: A Book About Accents?
This book is brilliant! As an English philologist and non-native English speaker, I have enjoyed every single chapter. If you are interested in linguistics, phonetics, history, accents and English language, this book is a must.
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- Katherine Reid
- 10-14-22
fascinating, informative and entertaining
A wonderful, deeply researched and entertainingly brought to life tour of the history and future of British accents. The interplay between Ben and David is uplifting, and the rich disciplinary perspectives they each bring add richness to the narrative. Brava! Or is that bravo?!
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Story
E. H. Gombrich's world history, an international best seller now available in English for the first time, is a text dominated not by dates and facts but by the sweep of experience across the centuries, a guide to humanity's achievements, and an acute witness to its frailties.
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an enlightening book; very well read
- By A.B.Oxford on 06-03-06
By: E. H. Gombrich
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Making Sense
- By: David Crystal
- Narrated by: David Crystal
- Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
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Performance
-
Story
In Making Sense, David Crystal confronts the foe of many: grammar. Once taught relentlessly to all students in the English-speaking world, grammar disappeared from most school curricula, so that terms such as preposition and conjunction now often confound children and adults alike.
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Another delight from David Crystal
- By Emily on 10-23-17
By: David Crystal
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English Pronunciation Secrets
- The Game-Changing Guide to Mastering the General American Accent
- By: Rebecca Bower
- Narrated by: Rebecca Bower
- Length: 32 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
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Performance
-
Story
You're frustrated with not being understood. You're tired of shying away from conversations and presentations that keep you from making significant gains in your career and making connections in your social life. This guide is a culmination of all of the “mysterious secrets” that non-native English speakers search for on their journey to speaking with clear, fluent English pronunciation.
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No pdf
- By Anonymous User on 09-26-22
By: Rebecca Bower
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The Story of English in 100 Words
- By: David Crystal
- Narrated by: David Crystal
- Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
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Performance
-
Story
In this unique new history of the world's most ubiquitous language, linguistics expert David Crystal draws on words that best illustrate the huge variety of sources, influences, and events that have helped to shape our vernacular since the first definitively English word was written down in the fifth century ("roe", in case you are wondering). Featuring Latinate and Celtic words, weasel words and nonce-words, ancient words ("loaf") to cutting edge ("twittersphere") and spanning the indispensable words that shape our tongue ("and", "what") to the more fanciful ("fopdoodle"), Crystal takes us along the winding byways of language.
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Random but entertaining
- By Sean on 04-01-13
By: David Crystal
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Everyday Shakespeare
- Lines for Life
- By: Ben Crystal, David Crystal
- Narrated by: Ben Crystal, David Crystal, Hillary Crystal
- Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Shakespeare had an ear and hand that was able to capture our everyday thoughts and emotions, pin them to a page, and express them so well that still today they can make us feel stunned to be seen. With a quote for every day of the year, this beautiful book gathers the finest lines from the lesser-known corners of Shakespeare's plays and poems. While you may not be familiar with these 400-year-old phrases, you will be surprised by the immediate, easy resonance they have with modern day-to-day life.
By: Ben Crystal, and others
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English Pronunciation: Pronounce It Perfectly in 4 Months Fun & Easy
- By: Ken Xiao
- Narrated by: Ken Xiao
- Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
You want to learn English pronunciations but there are so many books to choose from. You don’t know which book is right for you and you don’t know which book can give you the results you want. Now listen to this: My name is Ken Xiao. I didn't speak any English when I moved to the United States at the age of 17, but listen to my English now! You're listening to my voice! In this book, you'll learn English pronunciation from a successful English teacher, me, who has walked in your shoes before. You’ll learn to pronounce English words perfectly in four months!
By: Ken Xiao
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A Little History of the World
- By: E. H. Gombrich
- Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
- Length: 9 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
E. H. Gombrich's world history, an international best seller now available in English for the first time, is a text dominated not by dates and facts but by the sweep of experience across the centuries, a guide to humanity's achievements, and an acute witness to its frailties.
-
-
an enlightening book; very well read
- By A.B.Oxford on 06-03-06
By: E. H. Gombrich
-
Making Sense
- By: David Crystal
- Narrated by: David Crystal
- Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Making Sense, David Crystal confronts the foe of many: grammar. Once taught relentlessly to all students in the English-speaking world, grammar disappeared from most school curricula, so that terms such as preposition and conjunction now often confound children and adults alike.
-
-
Another delight from David Crystal
- By Emily on 10-23-17
By: David Crystal
-
English Pronunciation Secrets
- The Game-Changing Guide to Mastering the General American Accent
- By: Rebecca Bower
- Narrated by: Rebecca Bower
- Length: 32 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
You're frustrated with not being understood. You're tired of shying away from conversations and presentations that keep you from making significant gains in your career and making connections in your social life. This guide is a culmination of all of the “mysterious secrets” that non-native English speakers search for on their journey to speaking with clear, fluent English pronunciation.
-
-
No pdf
- By Anonymous User on 09-26-22
By: Rebecca Bower
-
The Story of English in 100 Words
- By: David Crystal
- Narrated by: David Crystal
- Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this unique new history of the world's most ubiquitous language, linguistics expert David Crystal draws on words that best illustrate the huge variety of sources, influences, and events that have helped to shape our vernacular since the first definitively English word was written down in the fifth century ("roe", in case you are wondering). Featuring Latinate and Celtic words, weasel words and nonce-words, ancient words ("loaf") to cutting edge ("twittersphere") and spanning the indispensable words that shape our tongue ("and", "what") to the more fanciful ("fopdoodle"), Crystal takes us along the winding byways of language.
-
-
Random but entertaining
- By Sean on 04-01-13
By: David Crystal
-
Everyday Shakespeare
- Lines for Life
- By: Ben Crystal, David Crystal
- Narrated by: Ben Crystal, David Crystal, Hillary Crystal
- Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Shakespeare had an ear and hand that was able to capture our everyday thoughts and emotions, pin them to a page, and express them so well that still today they can make us feel stunned to be seen. With a quote for every day of the year, this beautiful book gathers the finest lines from the lesser-known corners of Shakespeare's plays and poems. While you may not be familiar with these 400-year-old phrases, you will be surprised by the immediate, easy resonance they have with modern day-to-day life.
By: Ben Crystal, and others
-
English Pronunciation: Pronounce It Perfectly in 4 Months Fun & Easy
- By: Ken Xiao
- Narrated by: Ken Xiao
- Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-