The English Language
Edition: 2Rev Ed edition
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: March 1, 2008
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 306
ISBN-13: 9780521670012
Subjects: Language & Linguistics
First sentence: It is language, more obviously than anything else, that distinguishes humankind from the rest of the animal world.
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.