14 Thoughtful English gifts for language lovers

Do you need a gift for someone who is really into languages, or specifically the English language?

We have compiled this list of English gifts for language lovers to give you some inspiration with your present-buying. From cheap stocking stuffers to more significant English language gifts, take a look and see what would be a perfect match for the language lover in your life.

Gifts for language lovers

Ransom Notes – The Ridiculous Word Magnet Party Game

This word game forces you to get creative with the English language, as you have to convey a message with a limited number of words. Prompts are often quite ridiculous, ranging from “Describe a frightening medical condition” to “Offer to apply sunscreen on a rapidly burning stranger at the beach.”

With a handful of randomly selected words (from the pool of 840), each player forms their best response on a magnetic board and presents it to the others. The results are bound to have everyone in fits of laughter.

Ransom Notes is intended for 3-6 players or teams. Some of the 250 prompt cards are not suitable for children, but you can make the game more family-friendly by removing any prompts you feel are inappropriate before you play.

An expansion pack is also available, containing additional prompt cards, word magnets, and 4 more boards so up to 10 people can play at once.

The Language Lover’s Puzzle Book

This gift for language lovers combines linguistics with logic. The puzzles explore languages from around the world and the patterns that appear within them. It may seem all Greek to you at first, but you’ll soon be amazed at how much you can understand and deduce from a language you have never spoken.

Put this on your gift idea list for any linguist who also loves a good puzzle. They’ll enjoy exercising both sides of their brain at once.

Pop Culture Guide to Parts of Speech art poster

You may think that posters about parts of speech and grammar belong in a classroom, but this one is so beautifully designed and illustrated, it makes a wonderful gift for English language lovers to display at home.

Not only does it proudly show off their love for the language, but it’s an interesting talking point for anyone who visits them. Pop culture icons like Nicolas Cage and The Hulk help explain conjunctions, adverbs, and more.

The poster measures 16″ x 20″ and it’s the kind of thing that’s worth framing, so if you’re feeling extra generous and want to complete the gift, you could purchase a frame as well.

This would also be a good gift for grammar geeks – but we have a separate page dedicated to more of these.

Quotation mark bookends

It just so happens that many language lovers also enjoy reading books, and these quotation mark bookends represent both passions perfectly.

Made from sturdy whitewashed wood with a metal quotation mark design and non-slip pads underneath, they will keep books in place on a shelf or desk without damaging the surface.

Magnetic Poetry Kit

Word magnets are not a new concept (this product launched in 1993), but they can be a source of endless entertainment for couples, roommates, and families. Leave them out on your fridge, and spontaneously write messages or poems for the rest of your household to enjoy.

This is the original Magnetic Poetry Kit, but there are dozens of add-ons now available. For example, you can get a child-friendly story-maker kit or an adults-only pack full of obscenities!

There are even magnetic poetry kits for different languages including French, German, Spanish, and Italian. They really do make good gifts for language lovers of all varieties.

Vintage typewriter key cufflinks

These vintage cufflinks are made from upcycled typewriter keys that could be up to 100 years old. They are quirky enough to be a meaningful gift, while still being subtle enough to wear to work without raising too many eyebrows.

As you’ll see from the product description, each set is slightly different. However, it’s guaranteed that you will receive one with an exclamation mark and one with a question mark. The cufflinks are hand-crafted in Germany and supplied in a smart jewelry box.

This is a truly unique gift idea for a language-loving man in your life.

Vintage typewriter keys bracelet

Excuse us for including another of these products in our list, but you have to agree they make wonderfully unique gifts for language lovers.

This bracelet is crafted from a chain of 6 upcycled typewriter keys, and again will include a unique combination that differs slightly from the photo. Also be aware that because these are made in Germany, some of the keys may be German letters such as ß and Ü. Still, that shouldn’t deter any true polyglots out there.

Letterpool word game

The concept of this game is simple: you select a category and four letter tiles at random and must think of words in the category that begin with each letter. The first person to shout out each answer scores a point.

Letterpool requires quick thinking and creativity, as not every combination has an obvious answer (ice cream flavors beginning with the letter ‘F’, anyone?).

What makes it an excellent gift for language lovers is that you can play in any language that uses the Roman alphabet, as long as you can understand the categories in English. It’s a great way to test and expand your vocabulary in any other languages you are learning.

An Emotional Dictionary: Real Words for How You Feel, from Angst to Zwodder

Have you ever felt that you lack the words to express how you truly feel? Once you have made your way through the 1001 entries in An Emotional Dictionary, you should have no problem.

Written by English lexicographer and etymologist Susie Dent, this book explores obscure and forgotten words to describe everyday feelings and emotions. Unlike a traditional dictionary, it is entertaining and witty throughout.

If you have a friend who is always using words you don’t understand, they’ll only get worse after reading this book.

Shakespeare Insults gift poster

Shakespeare’s insults are some of the best in the world. Wouldn’t you love to call someone a “scurvy politician” or tell them “Were I like thee, I’d throw myself away” when they’re annoying you? Well now you can, and all in the name of quoting literature.

This poster groups the Shakespearian insults into categories including ‘Personal attributes/traits’ and ‘Bodily qualities’, with sub-categories including ‘Rogues’, ‘Cheese’, and ‘Infection’.

It measures 16″ x 20″ and you can also purchase a frame to protect it from any “muddy rascals” who may wish to touch it.

Boma Jewelry sterling silver quotation mark stud earrings

Here’s a high-quality, sophisticated gift for language lovers to subtly make a statement about their linguistic tendencies. Handcrafted from sterling silver, these studs are hypoallergenic and nickel-free and come in a cloth jewelry bag, ready to give to that special person.

Boma Jewelry has been in business for over 35 years, and these earrings come with a 30-day refund & return policy, so you can purchase in confidence.

Funky Black White Acrylic Punctuation Earrings

Continuing on the punctuation mark jewelry theme, we have these bold, asymmetric, acrylic earrings featuring a question mark and an exclamation mark.

These are large earrings – the acrylic part is 2.75″ (7cm) long – so they won’t be to everyone’s taste. But if you know a writer, poet, or linguist who loves unusual, retro fashion then these could be the ideal gift.

Punctuation ornaments

Looking for a stocking stuffer or a Secret Santa gift for a language lover? It’s probably the only time of year you could get away with giving these punctuation ornaments, but they are a fun idea for anyone who goes all in celebrating the festive season.

In this pack you get 3 sparkly ornaments: a green question mark, a silver exclamation mark, and a red ampersand. They’ll look great on a Christmas tree, but you could also use them to decorate someone’s desk at work.

Fancy A Cuppa? The Hilarious Guide to British Slang

Here’s an excellent English gift idea for any Americans who want to learn more about British English (the bits they don’t usually teach you).

Maybe you’re traveling to the UK soon, like to watch British TV shows but miss some of the jokes, or simply have a fascination with the differences between British and American English.

This funny book, packed with amusing illustrations, will bring you up to speed on British idioms, Cockney Rhyming Slang, and even some cheeky swear words.

We hope these English gift ideas have inspired you in your search for the perfect present. If you’re still searching for other gifts, check out some more gift guides for the linguistically-minded people on your list: