Richard Lederer, best-selling author of the Anguished English series, will give a humorous talk about the peculiarities of the English language on Tuesday, May 7 from 8:45 a.m. to noon in University Hall 228 at Coastal Carolina University. The fee for the program is $39.

Lederer has earned international fame by pointing out the comical aspects of the language - how, for example, you can drive in a parkway and park in a driveway.

Following his presentation, Lederer will answer questions on linguistic matters.

He is the author of more than 3,000 books and articles about language and humor, including his Anguished English series. Lederer's syndicated column, "Looking at Language," appears in newspapers and magazines throughout the United States.

Lederer is language columnist for The Toastmaster, Scientific American, Pages and Farmers' Almanac. He appears regularly on "Weekend All Things Considered" on National Public Radio and hosts a weekly show, "A Way With Words," on San Diego public radio.

Lederer has been elected International Punster of the Year and been profiled in magazines as diverse as The New Yorker, People and the National Enquirer.

Toastmasters International has awarded its 2002 Golden Gavel to Lederer in recognition of his ability and influence as a writer and public speaker. The Golden Gavel is the most prestigious award offered by Toastmasters International, a nonprofit, worldwide organization devoted to teaching public speaking skills. The award is presented to a distinguished individual in the fields of communication and leadership. Past recipients include Walter Cronkite, Anthony Robbins, Mark Russell, Art Linkletter, Dr. Joyce Brothers, Deepak Chopra, Robert Schuller, and management experts Tom Peters, Kenneth Blanchard and Harvey Mackay.

For more information, contact Coastal's School of Continuing Studies at 349-2665 or visit www.coastal.edu/learn on the Internet.