A History of the English Language [Paperback]

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 the place of English as a world language and the growing array of the varieties of English spoken today. A useful appendix gives definitions of technical terms and phonetic symbols.Preface.- Table of Abbreviations.- What is a History of English?.- Background Survey Before Alfred.- The First English Standard.- The Aftermath of the First Standard.- Interregnum: Fragmentation and Regrouping Political, Social and Pedagogical.- Background to the New Standard.- Language Change from 1400 to 1660.- Establishing the Standard within Social Norms.- Emancipation, Education and Empire.- World Domination and Growing Variation.- Appendix: Technical Terms and Phonetic Symbols Suggested.- Further Reading.- Index.