
The English Language
A Historical Introduction
Charles Barber(Author)
Cambridge University Press
Published on 13. May 1993
Book
Paperback/Softback
311 pages
978-0-521-42622-0 (ISBN)
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Description
The English Language: A Historical Introduction covers the history of the English language from its remote Indo-European origins to the present day. It provides substantial information about the English language at different periods, and introduces the main theoretical and technical concepts of historical linguistics. Chapters on the nature of language and on language change are followed by a chronological survey, beginning in the Prehistoric age and working down from Anglo-Saxon times to the twentieth century. Topics covered include vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, semantics, attitudes to language, and English as a world language. Short passages of English are used to illustrate the state of the language in different periods and all over the world, in a range of contexts. This thoroughly updated edition of Charles Barber's The Story of Language is the ideal introduction to the subject for students of English language and linguistics, accessible to all readers who are curious about language.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
8 Line drawings, unspecified
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
375 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-42622-0 (9780521426220)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
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Charles Barber | Joan Beal | Philip Shaw
The English Language
Book
03/2012
2nd Edition
Cambridge University Press
€28.00
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Book
03/2009
2nd Edition
Cambridge University Press
€23.51
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Content
1. What is language?; 2. The flux of language; 3. The Indo-European languages; 4. The Germanic languages; 5. Old English; 6. Norsemen and Normans; 7. Middle English; 8. Early modern English; 9. English in the scientific age; 10. English as a world language; 11. English today and tomorrow; Bibliography.