The Five Clocks: A Linguistic Excursion Into the Five Styles of English Usage

by Martin Joos

Book by Joos, Martin

Genres: Nonfiction

108 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1967

Reviews

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This slim volume is one I have had on my shelves for over 25 years. Joos' metaphor describing the five language registers is brilliant, if also difficult to read. Perhaps another read will make it clearer, but the intricate way in which Joos--through letters written to a hypothetical colleague--illustrates the five registers is complicated enough to have made this a challenging, if rewarding, read. >^..^<

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't get it. Is this a parody of a book I don't know? I can't even tell if it is fiction or not. Is it a discussion of semantics followed by a fictitious correspondence?

[Mera · Rating 4 out of 5]

good

[Dhanis · Rating 5 out of 5]

i want to read this book

[Yogi]

yeah i just needed reading

[Astita · Rating 5 out of 5]

i want to read this book

[Ay]

it is good

[Mishehu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whimsical, succinct, non-rigorous yet overall thoughtful disquisition on the concept of linguistic registers. Less 1 star for some very annoying literary flourishes, and -- to this reader at least -- a completely superfluous closing chapter. Still, well worth the very fast read for anyone with a passing interest in sociolinguistics or rhetoric.

[John Hainsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be a whimsical, metaphorical exploration of language. I enjoy picking it up occasionally and reading a bit, and have for over 20 years. It has a fugue-like or play-like feel to it. It probably taught me a little bit about language, too.

[Iwan]

he h

[Mirra.carelyahoo.com]

good

[Dahra]

how to read the five clocks here...? *need help please

[Rizky]

good

[Rick]

I really enjoyed the first chapter of this book, but I really didn't know what to think of the last chapter. Hmmm...

[Syafar]

interesting