Overview

Lynda Mugglestone's hugely popular The Oxford History of English is now updated and entirely reset in a new edition featuring David Crystal's new take on the future of English in the wider world. In accounts made vivid with examples from a vast range of documentary evidence that includes letters, diaries, and private records, fifteen scholars trace the history of English from its ancient Indo-European origins to the present. They cover the language's versions, written and spoken, revel in its rich variety over fifteen centuries, and chart its varied progress nationally, regionally, and throughout the world. With scholarship at once impeccable and approachable, the authors describe and explain the constantly changing sounds, words, meanings, and grammar of English. This is a book for everyone interested in the language, present and past.

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9780199660162

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For a scholarly book pursuing English from its hazy origins to the internet, this book provides much pleasure. The Independent The Oxford History of English, in sum, is an important and exhilarating new resource, not only for scholars and graduate students of literature and language, but also for the interested lay reader. Heather C. Easterling, Modern Language Review

For a scholarly book pursuing English from its hazy origins to the internet, this book provides much pleasure. The Independent

`Review from previous edition a fascinating book to browse in' Michael Kerrigan, The Scotsman `answer[s] the need for a history of English that is up-to-date, culturally sensitive, detailed and rigorous. Yet also, true to Emerson's philosophy, convey[s] some of the lustre, excitement and agony of the past.' Henry Hitchings, New Statesman `...this is an appealing volume... For those who wish to carry on after the first term or textbook...and those who are interested in getting a guided exposure to authentic text samples or in looking a little behind the scenes of scholarly argumentation, this is the work of choice.' English World-Wide, 29:1

Author Information

Lynda Mugglestone is Professor of History of English at the University of Oxford and Fellow and Tutor in English at Pembroke College. Recent books include Dictionaries. A Very Short Introduction and, edited with Freya Johnston, Johnson's Pendulum, both published by Oxford.

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