Fry's Planet Word

Stephen Fry seeks to uncover the origins of language and how and why we are the only species on the planet to have this gift.

Stephen Fry argues that the way we speak defines us above all - be it a national language, a regional dialect or even class variation.

Documentary series. Stephen learns that swearing plays an important part in human communication, and that slang and jargon can both aid and thwart clarity.

Stephen Fry looks at the written word, starting with the earliest form of writing - cuneiform, and ending with the modern inventions of blogging and twittering.

Stephen Fry explores language. He looks at our desire to entertain and explain through stories, and why any attempt at formula is doomed to fail.