Why Q Needs U

A history of our letters and how we use them

Danny Bate

$34.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

QTY:

English

BONNIER
28 January 2026

Language: history & general works; linguistics; Historical & comparative linguistics; Writing systems, alphabets; Social & cultural history

Every single one of the letters you're reading right now can tell a fascinating story, having been on a long linguistic, historical, political and social journey to reach this very page.

The English alphabet is a tool that we've inherited down the centuries from ancient creators around the world. The alphabet hasn't always had its present form, but rather has undergone all sorts of changes and evolutions to suit the needs of the time. Did you know that five English letters come from a single graphic grandparent? Or that we may know the specific person who invented the letter G? Do you know why Z is the sixth letter for the Greeks, yet the last for us? Or why Q needs to be followed by U?

Why Q Needs You takes readers on a journey through the English alphabet, not just to share fun facts, but to reveal the alphabet's hidden mechanisms and inspire a newfound sense of wonder in this ancient tool. It will not only leave the reader amazed by the letters they use every day but equipped to spot connections in languages across the world. It also aims to explain and defend the peculiar way English today uses these ancient symbols. Why does a silent final E turn hop into hope? Why are the Cs in circus pronounced differently? And why is there an L in salmon and a K in know?

Each chapter in Why Q Needs U is a self-contained adventure into history, etymology, politics and more, but will also contribute to a general appreciation for how our alphabet developed, how it has changed, and how it fits into a wider world of writing.

By: Danny Bate
Imprint: BONNIER
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 206mm, Width: 137mm, Spine: 34mm
Weight: 412g
ISBN: 9781785307430
ISBN 10: 1785307436
Pages: 336
Publication Date: 28 January 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Danny Bate is a linguist, writer, broadcaster and podcaster who is fascinated by the study of historical languages and etymology. He took his BA and MPhil degrees from the University of York and the University of Cambridge respectively, and his PhD in linguistics from the University of Edinburgh. He can be found online at dannybate.com, on social media @DannyBate4 and @dannybate.bsky.social and at his podcast A Language I Love is....

Reviews for Why Q Needs U: A history of our letters and how we use them

'You'll never look at a keyboard the same way after reading Danny Bate's fascinating linguistic history' * Sunday Times * A wonderful achievement! A breathtaking adventure through the alphabet - each letter a hero with a remarkable story to tell. An absolutely delightful read, filled with jewels of lightly worn scholarship and dazzling insight. I just couldn't recommend it more highly. * Stephen Fry * Why Q Needs U is a tremendously informative and entertaining biography of the letters of the alphabet that reveals surprising stories, makes astonishing connections and unveils the very roots of the language we speak. * Dr Francis Young, historian and author of 'Pagans in the Early Modern Baltic' * Funny, smart, and totally absorbing, Bate's words leap off the page and into your mind, convincing you that somehow you knew all about linguistics to begin with. A must read for all language lovers, and anyone who wants to win at pub trivia. * Dr Eleanor Janega, historian, author, co-host of Gone Medieval podcast * The alphabet is a journey through time, and Danny Bate is a charming and erudite tour guide. If you read only one book about the alphabet I can enthusiastically recommend this one. * Lauren Gawne, host of Lingthusiasm and Senior Lecturer in Linguistics at La Trobe University *