1. How do languages change?; 2. Why are languages always changing?; 3. Where do words come from?; 4. Skunk-Leek – my kind of town: what's in a name?; 5. Where does English come from?; 6. Why is American English different from British English?; 7. Why is English spelling so eccentric?; 8. Which is the oldest language?
Packed with fascinating examples, this entertaining book explores changes in the English language over time.
R. L. Trask was a world authority on the Basque language and on historical linguistics. He wrote both academic and popular books, notably on grammar, punctuation, and English style and usage. His publications include Language: The Basics (1995) and Mind the Gaffe (2001). At the time of his death in 2004, he was Professor of Linguistics at the University of Sussex.
'Clear, sensible and stimulating … a fine memorial to the late
Larry Trask. This book deserves to succeed as a splendid
introductory text for anyone interested in language change.' Jeremy
J. Smith, University of Glasgow
'Trask's enthusiasm and learning are obvious … will give its
readers more enjoyment than many other volumes on the subject …'
The Times Literary Supplement
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