The English Language

Oct 3, 2024 9:22 AM

Author:David Crystal

This is the definitive survey of the English language - in all its forms. Crystal writes accessibly about the structure of the language, the uses of English throughout the world and finally he gives a brief history of English. The book has been fully revised and there is a fascinating new chapter on 'The effect of technology' on the English language. 'Illuminating guided tour of our common treasure by one of its most lucid and sensible professionals' The Times 'A splendid blend of erudition and entertainment' THES

Reviews

The Scots tongue, like most of the world's minority languages, is under pressure and Billy Kay in this excellent and cogent survey draws together the strands of our concern

—— Daily Express

Kay is the best writer on his own language I have read since Burchfield on English; his book should be put in schools, for it is capably seditious

—— The Herald

Moving, delightful, even inspiring

—— Edinburgh Review

It is not the kind of dry academic tome so cherished by linguistic nitpickers, but a bright, radical examination of the language which is at the heart of our existence

—— Aberdeen Press and Journal

A fresh and invigorating overview of a fascinating subject

—— Stirling Observer

Well written . . . provocative

—— The New York Times

Attuned to pop culture as well as to scholarship, Abley proves a deft social anthropologist

—— The Daily Telegraph

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