How Language Works by David Crystal

This was a really good overview of language, which is no small feat. It was easy to read without being condescending. I skimmed the first few chapters about learning language, because that stuff is interesting but I still remember it from psych 425. I got hooked (on phonics, sort of) in the later chapters about morphemes (the smallest units of language that have meaning) because I'm into etymology (and also entomology, but that's different). He does a nice analysis of different language structures, although I would have liked more examples. There's also a good section about electronic communication. Unlike Crystal, I'm resistant to a lot of the ways English is changing, mostly because I'm a grammar slut of the Eats, Shoots, and Leaves variety. And yes, I believe in Oxford Commas. Anyway. Language! It's neat!

p.s. the only infix in English is "fucking," as in un-fucking-believable or fan-fucking-tastic.