Book description
"A fascinating look at how we talk about women. . . . Dense with information and anecdotes, Mother Tongue touches on the hilarious and the devastating, with ample dashes of an ingredient so painfully absent from most discussions of sex and gender: humor." ―Lisa Selin Davis, The Washington Post "[Nuttall] examines the origins of words used over many centuries to describe women's bodies, desires, pregnancies, work lives, sexual victimhood, and stages of life. . . . Her research is comprehensive enough that even longtime word enthusiasts will find plenty of new trivia." ―The New Yorker An enlightening linguistic journey through a thousand years of feminist language--and what we can learn from the vivid vocabulary that English once had for women's bodies, experiences, and sexuality So many of the words that we use to chronicle women's lives feel awkward or alien. Medical terms are scrupulously accurate but antiseptic. Slang and obscenities have shock value, yet they perpetuate taboos. Where are the plain, honest words for women's daily lives? Mother Tongue is a historical investigation of feminist language and thought, from the dawn of Old English to the present day. Dr. Jenni Nuttall guides readers through the evolution of words that we have used to describe female bodies, menstruation, women's sexuality, the consequences of male violence, childbirth, women's paid and unpaid work, and gender. Along the way, she challenges our modern language's ability to insightfully articulate women's shared experiences by examining the long-forgotten words once used in English for female sexual and reproductive organs. Nuttall also tells the story of words like womb and breast, whose meanings have changed over time, as well as how anatomical words such as hysteria and hysterical came to have such loaded legacies. Inspired by today's heated debates about words like womxn and menstruators--and by more personal conversations with her teenage daughter--Nuttall describes the profound transformations of the English language. In the process, she unearths some surprisingly progressive thinking that challenges our assumptions about the past--and, in some cases, puts our twenty-first-century society to shame. Mother Tongue is a rich, provocative book for anyone who loves language--and for feminists who want to look to the past in order to move forward.
Thunder Tank
This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is truly remarkable. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Twinkle Cocoa
Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education. 🎉 Making each day a new chapter – this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! 📖🌄 I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs.
Ladysmith
The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion. A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
Pompeii Unicorn
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration is a brilliant touch. ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful – I'm hooked! This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine – it's a habit I cherish. This app's efficient downloading process ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks whenever and wherever. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically.
Scratch
I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app – it's revitalizing. Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Candy Butcher
ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. Effortlessly exploring new worlds – this app's design is user-centric and efficient. I love the auto-rewind feature. ListenBook always picks up right where I left off. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Fist Wizard
This app has turned audiobook listening into a daily ritual for me. Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly.
LocKz
ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app. I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. 📱🎧 Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
FrankenGrin
This app's efficient downloading process ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks whenever and wherever. Audiobook immersion simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs.
Mirage
I'm able to catch up on my reading list even during the busiest days. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use. I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Bug Blitz
With this app, audiobook listening has become a seamless and enjoyable part of my everyday life. Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections. I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
Skylark
The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. ListenBook is more than just an app – it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination.
Elektrik
🌟 Transforming laundry time into a journey through fantastic stories – thank you, this app! 👚📖 🎧 An audiobook treasure trove in the palm of my hand – this app is pure convenience! 📚🌟 Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature! The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Mint Ness
With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of literature during my daily walks – it's truly invigorating. 🎧 Carrying a world of literature in my headphones – this app's convenience is truly remarkable. 📚💫 ListenBook is like a personal audiobook curator, allowing me to enjoy my favorite speeches and lectures with unmatched comfort and convenience. Accessing my favorite audiobooks has never been easier – this app's user-centric design and comprehensive features make it an absolute gem. 📱🎧 A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
Tweety Bun Bun
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with it—the narration was fine, and the story was okay—but nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute. As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
Guillotine
With this app, reading is no longer confined to a specific time or place. 🎧 Finally, an app that understands my need for convenience and ease of use! Audiobooks have never been this accessible. 📚📱 An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
Y0dler
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind – and this app is my partner in crime. Listening to audiobooks has become my daily ritual for relaxation and escape. ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a game-changer. I can now focus on the story even in noisy environments. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional.
Roadblock
Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions. Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it.
High Kingdom Warrior
💡 The future of audiobook listening is here – this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. 🎧🔮 ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience.
Sly Bible
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. 🚗📖 Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration – this app keeps me engaged on the road! 🚗🎧 is a breeze. It's incredibly convenient for building my collection. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience