List of books and articles about history of the english language. This second edition of the history of the english language a sourcebook provides a comprehensive and accessible guide to the origins and development of the english language. This is the story of english from its beginnings and its ancestors to its future. He traces its journey during british imperialism to america, australia, india, the west indies, and beyond, and also chronicles how words from lewis and clarks journeys across america and african dialects of slaves were integrated into english vocabulary. A beginners dictionary written for children in grades k2, ages 57. Its premise is that english languages adaptability and ability to absorb words from other languages has made it a truly global language spoken by millions around the globe. English is a germanic language that contains influences from many other languages. First published in 1992, the book contains over fifty illustrative passages, drawn from the oldest english to the twentieth century. David burnley is head of the department of english language and linguistics at the university of sheffield. Please tell us more about dying words this book is a history of world languages which focuses on the small languages that make up about 96% of all spoken languages but are spoken by only about 4% of the worlds population.
Some letters of old english like thorn, wynn and eth didnt make it to modern english. And really what youre reading this book is the history of english, which goes back to the 5th century ad or so. Your first book choice is by nicholas evans, an australian academic and one of the leading figures in language documentation. In this book, a team of international experts cover the entire recorded history of the english language, outlining its development over fifteen centuries. Learn british accents and dialects cockney, rp, northern, and more. The best books on the history and diversity of language. Buy the history of the english language by brigit viney online at alibris. English language english is a west germanic language which is the dominant language in the united kingdom, the united states, many commonwealth nations including australia, canada, new zealand and other former british colonies. Jul 15, 2014 learn british accents and dialects cockney, rp, northern, and more. Discover librarianselected research resources on history of the english language from the questia online library, including fulltext online books, academic. The history of the english language oliver farrar emerson. History of english language 1 birth of a language doc series. Mar 17, 2008 the history and development of english, from the earliest known writings to its status today as a dominant world language, is a subject of major importance to linguists and historians. A new title from routledges critical concepts in linguistics series, history of the english language is a fourvolume collection covering the main linguistic issues in the phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and sociolinguistics of the history of english.
The components of language are explained in easytounderstand terms and the progression of the language from germanic to old, middle, and modern english is fully illustratedincluding such revolutionary language upheavals as those brought about by the norman conquest and the. Why do some words feel casual, while others feel formal. This is a very interesting and informative book for anyone whos interested in the history of the english language. Baugh, 9780415655965, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. The first authoritative and fullfeatured english dictionary, the dictionary of the english language, was published by samuel johnson in 1755. The history of the english language by brigit viney. To a high degree, the dictionary standardized both english spelling and word usage. Buy a history of the english language 5 by cable, thomas, baugh, albert c. English is a very interesting hot dumpster fire of a language that just keeps mutating with every passing day.
This complex, frustrating, and fascinating language has had a lengthy journey to become the language we know today. The passages are contextualised by individual introductions and grouped into the traditional periods of old english, early middle english, later middle english, early modern english and modern english. These tribes, the angles, the saxons and the jutes, crossed the north sea from what today is denmark and northern germany. The book provides students with a balanced and uptodate overview of the history of the language. Jan 18, 2016 some dictionaries have up to 600,000 words, although most native english speakers have a vocabulary of up to only 60,000 words. A language from the fringes of europe that came to be the international language by default. Baugh,thomas cable and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Old english 4501100 ad, middle english 1100circa 1500 ad and modern english since 1500. Sep 24, 2012 a history of the english language 20 in old english the preterite singular of cwe. History of the english language questia online library.
Grammar distinctions were lost as many noun and adjective endings were levelled to e. I used its second 1957 edition when i was an undergraduate and was fascinated by both the range of its. I start the chronology in the department, with courses on old and middle english language and literature, and the history of the english language. Mar 27, 2008 the history and development of english, from the earliest known writings to its status today as a dominant world language, is a subject of major importance to linguists and historians. Professor drout addresses the foundation of language and its connection to specific portions of the brain.
David crystals top 10 books on the english language books. Buy a history of the english language by gelderen, elly isbn. The history of the english language by brigit viney alibris. The history of the english language uncovers the origins of this world language. Brigit viney is a successful writer who has contributed a new title to the oxford bookworms factfiles series. While old english is a heavily inflected language, the use of grammatical endings diminished in middle english. Handke provides an overview of the most important cultural and linguistic aspects that.
History of the english language, 2nd edition the great courses. A history of the english language norman blake macmillan. History of the book department of english language and. The book will be of general interest to all those interested in the origins and development of the english language, and in particular to students and teachers of the history of the english language at alevel and university. It is the second most spoken language in the world. English has a very rich history, and there are some surprising things about it that this book details. The history and development of english, from the earliest known writings to its status today as a dominant world language, is a subject of major importance to. The english never spoke anglosaxon because they never were anglosaxons, but instead good englishmen living next to the welsh, highland scots. Revised and updated, the fifth edition continues to provide students with a balanced and uptodate overview of the subject.
A linguistic introduction is for anyone interested in the history of the english language. Choose from used and new textbooks or get instant access with etextbooks and digital materials. The book is scholarly and academic, and not suitable for readers with only a casual interest in the history of the english language. Christine lindop was born in new zealand where she began her teaching career. Dec 15, 2011 the origins of the english language pdf 1. Throughout its history, english has been an unusually mutable language, readily. The english language in its complex shapes and forms changes fast. The main part of this website, the history, can be read as a kind of story, in chapters, following the development of the english language from its indoeuropean origins, through old english and middle english to early modern english and late modern english, before a brief look at english today. Sep 19, 2006 a history of the english language by albert c baugh. A history of the english language treats the subject in a series of nine chapterlength essays by outstanding scholars in the field.
History of english language 1 birth of a language doc. No records exist of preinvasion forms of the language. So here are a few excellent books to help you demystify the english language, in. The history of english how the english language went from. A history of the english language edited by richard hogg. The history of the english language has traditionally been divided into three main periods. Its authoritative coverage extends from areas of central linguistic interest and concern to more specialised topics such as personal and place names. The language most closely related to english is the west germanic language frisian. History of english language 1066 learn to speak english. This textbook is perhaps the greatest work of its kind. A history of the english language by baugh albert c cable. Melvyn bragg s the adventure of english covers the journey of english from its beginnings in sanskrit to its role today as a language spoken by more than one billion people worldwide. With the viking invasions vikings were a tribe of nordic people that ransacked their way through northern and northwestern europe 1,0001,200 years ago, old english got mixed up with old norse, the language of the viking tribes.
The history of the english language, animated brain pickings. This thoroughly revised edition has been refreshed with current examples of change and has been updated regarding archeological research. Recorded books the history of the english language, 2nd edition. Find history of the english language textbooks at up to 90% off. A short history of the english language linguaenglish blog. Introduces young readers to almost 3,000 words using 1,000 entriesmany new and revised for 2012with hundreds of captivating illustrations by ruth heller.
The history of the english language, 2nd edition, is professor seth lerers revised and updated investigation of the remarkable history of english, from the powerful prose of king alfred in the middle ages to the modernday sermons of martin luther king, jr. The history of english is an aspect of the history of the english people and their development. A history of the english language is a comprehensive exploration of the linguistic and cultural development of english, from the middle ages to the present day. The fifth edition has been substantially revised and updated to. The history of english is conventionally, if perhaps too neatly, divided into three periods usually called old english or anglosaxon, middle english, and modern english. This book is for those like me who wish to understand the history of the english language. Anyone studying the history of the english language for the first time should consider looking at more basic, introductory publications before trying this book.
The english language changed enormously during the middle english period, both in vocabulary and pronunciation, and in grammar. It covers the english and historical background, changes in phonology, vocabulary and syntax, and offers close analyses of individual texts of english from a wide. The history of english is conventionally, if perhaps too neatly, divided into three periods usually called old english or. Among the books many strengths is the sustained effort of its authors to qualify certain pieties about the english language such as middle englishs status as the dialectal phase of english while. While leading the reader through the prehistory of english, through germanic times, old english, middle english, early modern english, and modern english, the book also introduces the reader to concepts in theoretical and historical linguistics. Here are five of our favorite books about the evolution of the english language. The adventure of english traces the history and evolution of the english language, from its first arrival on english shores from old frisia to modern days. I am especially interested in angloscandinavian relations towards the end of the anglosaxon period, and, in the later period, late fourteenth and fifteenthcentury devotional texts. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Nov, 20 complement with these 5 essential reads on language and the only surviving recording of virginia woolfs voice, in which she explores the beauty of the english language. A student supplement for this book is available, entitled companion to a history of the. The origins of the english language pdf slideshare. His110 the history of english an overview the virtual linguistics campus. The answers to those questions is found in the year 1066.