Lynda Mugglestone's hugely popular The Oxford History of English is now updated and entirely reset in a new edition featuring David Crystal's new take on the future of English in the wider world. In accounts made vivid with examples from a vast range of documentary evidence that includes letters, diaries, and private records, fifteen scholars trace the history of English from its ancient Indo-European origins to the present. They cover the language's versions, written and spoken, revel in its rich variety over fifteen centuries, and chart its varied progress nationally, regionally, and throughout the world. With scholarship at once impeccable and approachable, the authors describe and explain the constantly changing sounds, words, meanings, and grammar of English. This is a book for everyone interested in the language, present and past.

About the Author
Lynda Mugglestone is Professor of History of English at the University of Oxford and Fellow and Tutor in English at Pembroke College. Recent books include Dictionaries. A Very Short Introduction and, edited with Freya Johnston, Johnson's Pendulum, both published by Oxford.

Reviews
For a scholarly book pursuing English from its hazy origins to the internet, this book provides much pleasure. * The Independent *
The Oxford History of English, in sum, is an important and exhilarating new resource, not only for scholars and graduate students of literature and language, but also for the interested lay reader. * Heather C. Easterling, Modern Language Review *



Book Information
ISBN 9780199660162
Author Lynda Mugglestone
Format Paperback
Page Count 624
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 738g
Dimensions(mm) 214mm * 144mm * 33mm