mcc

Book Week 2019: Gretchen McCulloch's Because Internet


Welcome to the final review post of Book Week 2019. In the intro to Book Week 2019, I explain what I'm doing. The 'week' has turned out to be eight days. If you're perturbed about that, I'm happy to offer you a full refund on your subscription fees for this blog.

On with the show. Today's book is:


Because Internet

Understanding the new rules of language (US subtitle)
Understanding how language is changing (UK subtitle)

by Gretchen McCulloch
Riverhead, 2019 (N America)
Harvill Secker, 2019 (UK)


Gretchen McCulloch describes herself as an internet linguist: writing about internet language for people on the internet. She actually does a lot more than that, with daily blogging at All Things Linguistic for years and being one half of the Lingthusiasm podcast team and writing on all sorts of linguistic themes for all sorts of publications. So, I expect many readers of this blog will already know her and have heard about this book. 

US Cover
I expected Because Internet to be good, knowing Gretchen's work, but I also probably (in my grumpy, middle-aged, oh-do-we-have-to-talk-about-emojis-again? way) expected it to be faddish. There have been too many just-plain-bad, (orig. AmE) jumping-on-the-bandwagon books about emojis, and I've got(ten) a bit sour on the topic. 

This book is so much more than I expected it to be. 

I should have known better. Having read and heard much of her work, I should have expected that this would be a truly sophisticated approach to language and to general-audience linguistics writing. So far in Book Week 2019, I've recommended the books as gifts for A-level students/teachers, science lovers, and language curmudgeons. This book is good for all those groups and more. 

UK cover
The key is in the subtitle(s).* This is not just a book about emojis and autocomplete (and, actually, autocomplete isn't even in the index). This is a book about the relationship between speech and writing and how that's changed with technology. It seamlessly introduces theories of why language changes, how change spreads and how communication works in a time when the potential for change is high and the potential for changes to spread is unprecedented. 

That seamless introduction of linguistic concepts is the reason I've started this book from the beginning and not skipped around (unlike for other books in Book Week—where the rule is that I don't have to read the whole book before I start writing about it). In most books about language for non-linguists, I'm able to skim or skip the bit where they talk about the basics of how language works and the classic studies on the topic and the ideas springing from them. McCulloch covers those issues and those studies (the Labovs, the Milroys, the Eckerts), but since this is intertwined with looking at how language is changing in the 21st century—because (of the) internet—it was worth my while to read straight through. The great thing about the language of the internet is: even when it looks really different from non-internet language, it's still illustrating general principles about how language, communication, and society work. But it also shows how society is changing because of technology, particularly in changing who we are likely to interact with or hear from, In the process, it gives a history of the internet that's enlightening even for those of us who've lived through it all. (I've just flipped open to a section about  PLATO at the University of Illinois. One of my student jobs was working in a PLATO lab, playing Bugs-n-Drugs [aka Medcenter] while signing people in and out. That game was not good for my hypochondria, but I have awfully fond memories of PLATO.)


Another thing to appreciate about McCulloch's book is how unreactionary it is. She doesn't set up her discussion as "You've heard people say these stupid things about the internet, but here's the TRUTH." (A style of writing that I can be very, very guilty of.) She mostly just makes her case gracefully, based on what the language is doing, rather than reacting to what other people say the language is doing. Rather than 'This, that and the other person say emoji are a new language, but they're not', she just gets on with explaining how emoji fulfil(l) our communicative need to gesture. It's a positive approach that academic linguists will have had trained out of them by the requirements of academic publishing.

This is a bit of a nerdview 'review'. Usually reviews tell you some fun facts from the book they're reviewing, whereas I'm telling you what I've noticed about its information structure. That's because that's what I really look for in books as I prepare to write a new one. In terms of information, in this book you'll learn, among other things:
  • which "internet generation" you belong to and how your language is likely to be different from other generations'.
  • what punctuation communicates in texting/chat and how that differs from formal writing
  • how language change can be traced through studying strong and weak social links and geographic tagging on Twitter
Inevitably, the book is mainly about English, in no small part because English rules the internet. But it does make its way to other languages and cultures—for instance, how Arabic chat users adapted their spelling to the roman alphabet and how emojis are interpreted differently around the world.  In the end, she briefly considers whether space is being made for other languages on the internet.

It's a galloping read and you'll learn all sorts of things.


So, on that happy review, I declare Book Week 2019 FINISHED.


* I love the transatlantic change in subtitles, since it completely illustrates the point of chapter 8 of The Prodigal Tongue: that Americans like to talk about language in terms of rules, and Britons in terms of history/tradition. I've also written a shorter piece about my personal experience of it for Zócalo Public Square.




mcc

Brooklyn’s McCarren Park bustles even as state goes ‘on pause’ over coronavirus

Friends played touch football and shared sweaty exercise equipment while others kept their distance from others




mcc

The Check-In: USC's McClain brothers find some good during coronavirus shutdown

Abdul-Malik and Munir McClain, who play football at USC, are living a new normal during the pandemic. It's virtual classrooms and virtual lessons from coaches.




mcc

McCoy Tyner, jazz piano legend who played with Coltrane, dead at 81

McCoy Tyner, jazz piano legend who played with Coltrane, dead at 81




mcc

Mitch McConnell is dead set on making workers the canary in the coronavirus coal mine

As states start lifting stay-at-home orders amid the coronavirus outbreak, workers will play a key role in determining if the economy bounces back.




mcc

McConnell's coronavirus business liability pledge sparks lobbying frenzy

Mitch McConnell has promised that the next coronavirus bill would protect business owners from lawsuits related to COVID-19.




mcc

Alexander McCall Smith reads up on solitude — and shares a new song — from Scotland quarantine

In his quarantine diary, "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" author Alexander McCall Smith writes lyrics, reads Auden and watches "Brideshead Revisited."




mcc

Rangers legend Ally McCoist slams Celtic fan Sir Rod Stewart after 'horrid' comment



Rangers have been criticised by Celtic fan Sir Rod Stewart but Gers great Ally McCoist has hit back at the music legend.




mcc

Rangers legend Ally McCoist praises one star after stunning St Johnstone win - NOT Morelos



RANGERS legend Ally McCoist has hailed sub Kyle Lafferty after the stunning win over St Johnstone.




mcc

State's top QB prospect Donaven McCulley on his top five, lessons learned from basketball

While McCulley became a key part of Lawrence North's run in basketball, there is no doubt that his collegiate future is in football.

       




mcc

State's top QB prospect Donaven McCulley on his top five, lessons learned from basketball

While McCulley became a key part of Lawrence North's run in basketball, there is no doubt that his collegiate future is in football.

       




mcc

Athlete spotlight: Catching up with Greenwood Christian senior Champ McCorkle

McCorkle leads the Class A second-ranked Cougars in scoring (13.7 ppg), rebounding (6.9) and assists (4.2) through 11 games this season.

      




mcc

McClaren under instant pressure

England's new coach will not have a honeymoon period




mcc

Actor Adam Scott and Sen. Mitch McConnell’s social media team are in a Twitter fight

The actor responded unfavorably to a tweet by McConnell's campaign, and the beef didn't stop there.




mcc

Whoopi Goldberg tells Meghan McCain to ‘stop talking’ during heated exchange on ‘The View’

A discussion about the impeachment hearings turned into a showdown between the co-hosts.




mcc

Learning with laughter: an interview with Kevin McCloskey

Kevin McCloskey delivers fascinating information in digestible, user-friendly formats, which appeal to not only young readers but experienced ones as well.




mcc

PET imaging of phosphodiesterase-4 identifies affected dysplastic bone in McCune-Albright syndrome, a genetic mosaic disorder

McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) is a mosaic disorder arising from gain-of-function mutations in the GNAS gene, which encodes the 3', 5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) pathway-associated G-protein, Gsα. Clinical manifestations of MAS in a given individual, including fibrous dysplasia, are determined by the timing and location of the GNAS mutation during embryogenesis, the tissues involved, and the role of Gsα in the affected tissues. The Gsα mutation results in dysregulation of the cAMP signaling cascade, leading to upregulation of phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4), which catalyzes the hydrolysis of cAMP. Increased cAMP levels have been found in vitro in both animal models of fibrous dysplasia and in cultured cells from individuals with MAS, but not in humans with fibrous dysplasia. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of PDE4 with 11C-(R)-rolipram has been used successfully to study the in vivo activity of the cAMP cascade. To date, it remains unknown whether fibrous dysplasia and other symptoms of MAS, including neuropsychiatric impairments, are associated with increased PDE4 activity in humans. Methods: 11C-(R)-rolipram whole-body and brain PET scans were performed in six individuals with MAS (three for brain scans and six for whole-body scans) and nine healthy controls (seven for brain scans and six for whole-body scans). Results: 11C-(R)-rolipram binding correlated with known locations of fibrous dysplasia in the periphery of individuals with MAS; no uptake was observed in the bones of healthy controls. In peripheral organs and the brain, no difference in 11C-(R)-rolipram uptake was noted between participants with MAS and healthy controls. Conclusion: This study is the first to find evidence for increased cAMP activity in areas of fibrous dysplasia in vivo. No differences in brain uptake between MAS participants and controls were detected, which could be due to several reasons, including the limited anatomic resolution of PET. Nevertheless, the results confirm the usefulness of PET scans with 11C-(R)-rolipram to indirectly measure increased cAMP pathway activation in human disease.




mcc

Braves notes: McCann, Soroka, Gohara

Brian McCann still laughs about what transpired as he learned the Braves were calling him up to the Majors during the 2005 season. He remembers being summoned to Brian Snitker's room, where he found the then Double-A manager eating pizza while wearing nothing more than his underwear.




mcc

Margaret McCartney wants to fix the NHS

Glasgow GP, writer, broadcaster, and The BMJ's weekly columnist Margaret McCartney joins us to talk about her new book "The State of Medicine: Keeping the Promise of the NHS". Read all of Margaret's columns: goo.gl/iKmmie




mcc

Forthcoming in JHBS: Quêtelet on Deviance, McClelland on Leadership, Psychological Warfare, and More

A number of articles now in press at the Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences will be of interest to AHP readers. Full details below. “Uncovering the metaphysics of psychological warfare: The social science behind the Psychological Strategy Board’s operations planning, 1951–1953,” Gabrielle Kemmis. Abstract: In April 1951 president Harry S. Truman established … Continue reading Forthcoming in JHBS: Quêtelet on Deviance, McClelland on Leadership, Psychological Warfare, and More




mcc

Utilisation of carp biomass : final report / Dr Janet Howieson, Andrew Tilley, Ewan Colquhoun, Elise O'Keefe, Steven Nash, Declan McDonald, Tony Evans, Gerry Gillespie, David Hardwick, Dr Sarah Beavis, Charles Francina, Daniel McCorey, Luke Wheat.




mcc

Making Peace / Fiona McCallum.

From Australia's master storyteller comes an uplifting story of new and old friendships, letting go of the past and looking to the future... Does one simple act of kindness have the power to completely turn someone's life around? It's been a year since Hannah Ainsley lost her husband and parents - her whole family - in a car crash on Christmas morning. Despite her overwhelming loss, she's worked hard to pull the pieces of her life together with the help of a group of dear, loyal friends. But while Hannah is beginning to become excited about the future again, she's concerned that her best friend and talented artist Sam is facing a crisis of her own. It's now Hannah's turn to be Sam's rock - can she save Sam's dreams from unravelling? When Hannah returns to work after her holidays, she can't settle. She's loved her job for a decade, and it's been her lifeline during her grief. But something's changed. She's changed. And for all this time she's avoided knowing the details of the accident or investigation - what would be the point, she'd thought, when nothing will bring her loved ones back? But after a chance meeting, it's all there in front of her - and, like ripples in a pond, it extends beyond her own experiences. Could knowing be the key to her recovery? Could her involvement be the key to someone else's? From Australia's master storyteller comes an uplifting story of new and old friendships, letting go of the past and looking to the future...




mcc

The family of hummingbirds : the complete prints of John Gould / Joel & Laura Oppenheimer ; foreword by Robert McCracken Peck.

Gould, John, 1804-1881. Monograph of the Trochilidae, or family of humming-birds.




mcc

Iconic : modern Australian houses 1950-2000 / Karen McCartney ; photography by Michael Wee.

Architecture, Domestic -- Australia -- History -- 20th century.




mcc

A dissertation on the best mode of treating spasmodic cholera ; with a view of its history and progress, from its origin in India, in 1817 down to the present time ; together with an appendix, containing a review of Dr McCormac's pamphlet, &c / by

London : Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green, 1834.




mcc

Mississippi State hires Nikki McCray-Penson as women's coach

Mississippi State hired former Old Dominion women’s basketball coach Nikki McCray-Penson to replace Vic Schaefer as the Bulldogs’ head coach. Athletic director John Cohen called McCray-Penson “a proven winner who will lead one of the best programs in the nation” on the department’s website. McCray-Penson, a former Tennessee star and Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer, said it’s been a dream to coach in the Southeastern Conference and she’s “grateful and blessed for this incredible honor and opportunity.”




mcc

Panthers' Christian McCaffrey becomes highest paid RB in NFL history: reports

The Carolina Panthers have agreed to a four-year, $64 million contract extension with All-Pro Christian McCaffrey, a person familiar with the contract negotiation told The Associated Press, making McCaffrey the highest-paid running back in the NFL.



  • Sports/Football/NFL

mcc

McConnell to Every State: Drop Dead

Blocking federal aid is vile, but it’s also hypocritical.




mcc

Alison McConnell: Clubs' rift with SPFL will linger long after lockdown

Rangers make Glasgow? Well, they certainly make it interesting.




mcc

Ian McConnell: Anyone seeing ‘addiction’ to furlough needs to take a look at reality of coronavirus crisis

IT was impossible to escape a heart-sinking feeling this week when reading reports that a senior UK Government source believed people were “addicted” to the furlough scheme.




mcc

John Solomon on Adam Schiff: he’s “a modern day Joe McCarthy”

Source: www.letfreedomringblog.com - Saturday, May 09, 2020
John Solomon has worked overtime and then some to rip Adam Schiff’s mask off. So have Catherine Herridge, Sara Carter, Lee Smith, Gregg Jarrett, Kim Strassel, Mollie Hemmingway and Byron York. Solomon’s article highlights how utterly dishonest Adam Schiff is. Ditto with the upper echelon of the FBI. Strap yourself in. This isn’t a short ride. The pursuit of the truth ended Thursday when the Justice Department formally asked a court to vacate Flynn’s conviction and end the criminal case, acknowledging the former general had indeed been cleared by FBI agents and that the bureau did not have a lawful purpose when it interviewed him in January 2017. Attorney General William Barr put it more bluntly in an interview Thursday : “They kept it open for the express purpose of trying to catch, to lay a perjury trap for General Flynn.” According to Solomon’s reporting, the FBI didn’t have a reason to investigate Gen. Flynn: 3. Case closed memo. FBI agents wrote a memo to close the investigation of Flynn on Jan. 4, 2017, writing they found “no derogatory” evidence that Flynn committed a crime or posed a national security threat. FBI management then ordered the closure to be rescinded and pivoted toward trying lure Flynn into an interview. https://justthenews.com/accountability/russia-and-ukraine-scandals/fbi-found-no-derogatory-russia-evidence-flynn-planned Corrupt FBI agent Peter Strzok allegedly ordered Crossfire Razor, the codename for th

All Related




mcc

Alison McConnell: Rangers went in too hard on SPFL... now dossier let-down may cost them vote

Perhaps there were some who had hoped for a dossier of lurid juiciness.




mcc

Delaware Flag Lowered to Half Staff for Fallen Fire Fighter Tim McClanahan

On Sunday, Delaware will lay to rest fallen firefighter Tim McClanahan. Mr. McClanahan passed away on Monday, July 11, 2016, following a Delaware Air Rescue Team training accident. He was a graduate of Cape Henlopen High School, was a past member of Milton and Rehoboth Beach Fire Departments, and a current member of the Lewes […]




mcc

Flags lowered for passing of Sen. McCain

Senator John McCain proudly served his country as a Navy aviator during the Vietnam War and as a statesman representing the State of Arizona in the U.S. House and Senate for over thirty years. In remembrance of the life and service of Senator McCain, Governor Carney has ordered the U.S. and Delaware flags to half […]



  • Flag Status
  • Governor John Carney
  • Office of Management and Budget
  • Office of the Governor


mcc

Northrop Grumman Corp.'s 的 Karen McConnell 赢得 IPC 总裁奖

多年来 Karen McConnell 一直在多个 IPC 委员会中任职,这为她赢得了让人梦寐以求的 IPC 总裁奖。 她把 IPOC 会议看作是学习和扩展个人网络的地方。




mcc

Len McCluskey wins Unite election

Len McCluskey has been elected leader of the UK's biggest trade union, Unite. It was a comfortable victory, polling 101,000 votes ahead of second-placed Jerry Hicks, who had 52,000 votes. However, he is short of an overwhelming endorsement, given an...




mcc

Here's why fans believe Emma Stone is now married to Dave McCary

Emma Stone recently wore a wedding during a live chat with some other celebrities




mcc

MCC AVR8 2.2.0 binary file

MCC AVR8 2.2.0 binary file




mcc

MCC - Turnkey Touch Host Library V1.0.0

MCC - Turnkey Touch Host Library V1.0.0




mcc

MCC PIC8 1.81.0 binary file

MCC PIC8 1.81.0 binary file




mcc

MCC - Touch Library - V2.80

MCC - Touch Library - V2.80




mcc

Memory Products MCC Library V2.4.0

Memory Products MCC Library V2.4.0




mcc

MCC AVR8 2.2.1 binary file

MCC AVR8 2.2.1 binary file




mcc

MCC AVR8 2.2.2 binary file

MCC AVR8 2.2.2 binary file




mcc

Stella McCartney goes wild to drive home animal-free message

Paris show features wildlife costumes to emphasise the label’s planet-friendly ethos

The singer Janelle Monáe and actor Shailene Woodley were in the front row, but two rabbits, a fox, a horse, two cows and a crocodile stole the show. People in lifesize animal costumes, of the kind more usually seen at theme park parades than at Paris fashion week, joined models for the finale of Stella McCartney’s show, swinging their new-season handbags and posing for the cameras.

The optics were fun, but the message was serious – that there are animals on almost every catwalk, it’s just that they are usually dead. The half-moon shoulder bag carried jauntily by a brown cow here was made from a vegan alternative to leather, while other bags were created from second-life plastic.

Continue reading...






mcc

Labour confession: Len McCluskey's blunt analysis of Jeremy Corbyn's impact revealed



AS THE Labour Party prepares itself for four years under the leadership of Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of Unite the Union explained how he believes Jeremy Corbyn has changed the face of the party forever.




mcc

Paul McCartney writes 'love letter' to NHS for new charity book

The book has been curated by This Is Going To Hurt author Adam Kay