The English Language

Description

Where does today's English come from? This book by Charles Barber tells the story of the language from its remote ancestry to the present day. In response to demand from readers, a brand new chapter on late modern English has been added for this edition. Using dozens of familiar texts, including the English of King Alfred, Chaucer, Shakespeare and Addison, the book tells you everything you need to know about the English language, where it came from and where it's going to. This edition adds new material on English as a global language, and explains the differences between the main varieties of English around the world. Clear explanations of linguistic ideas and terms make it the ideal introduction for students on courses in English language and linguistics, and for all readers fascinated by language.

First Sentence

It is language, more obviously than anything else, that distinguishes humankind from the rest of the animal world.

Subjects

Other Editions

• The English language: a historical introductionCambridge University Press1993-01-01
• The English LanguagePaperbackCambridge University Press2008-03-01
• The English LanguagePaperbackCambridge University Press2000-05-08
• The English languageCambridge University Press2009-01-01