Think On My Words Exploring Shakespeare's Language [Hardcover]

A lively introduction to Shakespeare's language, creating a greater appreciation of his linguistic creativity.For decades, people have been studying Shakespeare's life and times, and in recent years there has been a renewed surge of interest into aspects of his language. David Crystal provides a lively and original introduction, creating a greater appreciation of Shakespeare's vast linguistic creativity.For decades, people have been studying Shakespeare's life and times, and in recent years there has been a renewed surge of interest into aspects of his language. David Crystal provides a lively and original introduction, creating a greater appreciation of Shakespeare's vast linguistic creativity.You speak a language that I understand not. Hermiones words to Leontes in The Winters Tale are likely to ring true with many people reading or watching Shakespeares plays today. For decades, people have been studying Shakespeares life and times, and in recent years there has been a renewed surge of interest into aspects of his language. So how can we better understand Shakespeare? How did he manipulate language to produce such an unrivaled body of work, which has enthralled generations both as theater and as literature? David Crystal addresses these and many other questions in this lively and original introduction to Shakespeares language. Covering in turn the five main dimensions of language structure - writing system, pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and conversational style - the book shows how examining these linguistic nuts and bolts can help us achieve a greater appreciation of Shakespeares linguistic creativity.1. 'You speak a language that I understand not': myths and realities; 2. 'Now, sir, what is your text?': knowing the sources; 3. 'In print I found it': Shakespeare graphology; 4. 'Know my stops': Shakespearean punctuation; 5. 'Speak the speech': Shakespearean phonology; 6. 'Trippingly upon the tongue': Shakespearean pronunciation; 7. 'Think on my wol“0