ABSTRACT

A History of English, first published in 1970, is a book for beginners in linguistic history. This title examines the changes in English language speech and writing over a period of almost 2000 years, whilst also exploring more recent changes within the author’s living memory. This title aims to raise countless issues for enquiry and discussion, and its purpose is to serve as a springboard for language history learning rather than a textbook.

part One|69 pages

Introductory

chapter One|20 pages

Synchronic variation and diachronic change

chapter Two|47 pages

Changes within living memory

part Two|349 pages

The chronological sequence

chapter I|31 pages

Chapter 1 1970 — 1770

chapter II|52 pages

Chapter 2 1770 – 1570

chapter III|57 pages

Chapter 3 1570 – 1370

chapter IV|69 pages

Chapter 4 1370 – 1170

chapter V|35 pages

Chapter 5 1170 – 970

chapter VI|36 pages

Chapter 6 970 – 770

chapter VII|23 pages

Chapter 7 770 – 570

chapter VIII|22 pages

Chapter 8 570 – 370

chapter IX|19 pages

Before 370

chapter |3 pages

Conclusion