
- Publisher:
- FABER & FABER
- Year of publication:
- 2011
- ISBN:
- 978-0-571-27508-3
- Pages:
- 496
THE STORY OF ENGLISH
ROBERT MCCRUM / ROBERT MACNEIL / WILLIAM CRAN
The Story of English is the extraordinary tale of the origins and development of the English language. Two thousand years ago English was confined to a handful of savage tribes on the shores of north-west Europe; today, in one form or another, it is spoken by a billion people around the world. More widely scattered, written and spoken than any other language in history, English has become a global phenomenon. Exploring its amazing success, from its beginnings to the end of the twentieth century, The Story of English - a prelude to Robert McCrums GLOBISH - is an essential companion for student and general reader alike. A first-rate introduction to one of the most fascinating of subjects New York Timesa wonderful source for those even half-interested in the language - Glasgow Heraldmakes old-style language histories look rather like the Book of Common Prayera counterblast to the reactionary gurus of grammar The Timesswift and fascinating Chicago Tribune