The English Language (Opus Books)
Books / Paperback
Books › History › United States › General
ISBN: 0192891618 / Publisher: Oxford University Press, February 1987
Traces the evolution of the English language, looks at slang, dialect, pronunciation, and grammar, and examines the way English is used in literature and translations of the Bible
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The English language, in its earliest period, was spoken by a few thousand people, most of whom were illiterate. Today, more than 300 million people speak and write English as their first language. In this book, Robert Burchfield takes us on a brief tour of our ever-changing language as hesurveys its history and development and assesses its current state. An eloquent guide, Burchfield examines the complexities of English, as well as its amazing resilience and flexibility. From vocabulary, syntax, and pronunciation, to an analysis of the role of literature and the English Bible inshaping the language, Burchfield infuses all his discussions with his fascination with the mystery of language and his confidence that English "can be used at the present time as in the past, with majesty and power, free of all fault."
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