'a comprehensive introduction...detailed, scholarly and persuasive...the book's continued relevance to our contemporary arguments and language makes his account particularly stimulating.' - Brian Cox, Times Educational Supplement
Unlike other histories of the English language, this introduction cuts away traditional divisions into old, middle and modern English to chart the rise of and changes in standard English. 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 range of periods. The final chapter focuses on…
A comprehensive, introductory coursebook for English Language 'A' and 'A/S' level students on any of the examination courses and suitable for Introduction to English Language courses at undergraduate level. The sections cover all the common topics of study, including grammar, language analysis, language acquisition, language varieties and change, language and society and language and style. A f…