A History of the English Language

A History of the English Language explores the linguistic and cultural development of English from the Roman conquest of England to the present day to provide a comprehensive overview of the different aspects of its history. This best-selling classic textbook encourages the reader to develop both an understanding of present-day English and an enlightened attitude toward the issues affecting the language today.
Fully revised and updated, the new edition includes the latest developments in the field and offers:
- An updated coverage of corpus linguistics and the development of syntax
- Current debates about pronouns, technology and the internet
- Revised discussions on dialects in the UK and US
- Expanded coverage of Global Englishes and a fuller discussion of language contact
- Newly organised and updated chapter bibliographies
Balanced and wide-ranging, this textbook is a must-read for any student studying the history of the English language.

Preface 1. English Present and Future 2. The Indo-European Family of Languages 3. Old English 4. Foreign Influences on Old English 5. The Norman Conquest and the Subjection of English, 1066-1200 6. The Reestablishment of English, 1200-1500 7. Middle English 8. The Renaissance, 1500-1650 9. The Appeal to Authority, 1650-1800 10. The Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries 11. The English Language in America 12. The Twenty-first Century Appendix A: Specimens of the Middle English Dialects Appendix B: English Spelling Index