The English Language: A Historical Introduction

by Charles Barber, Joan C Beal, Philip A Shaw

Overview

A comprehensive yet concise history of the English language, this accessible textbook helps those studying the subject to understand the formation of English. It tells the story of the language from its remote ancestry to the present day, especially the effects of globalisation and the spread of, and subsequent changes to, English. Now in its third edition, it has been substantially revised and updated in light of new research, with an extended chapter on World Englishes, and a completely updated final chapter, which concentrate on changes to English in the twenty-first century. It makes difficult concepts very easy to understand, and the chapters are set out to make the most of the wide range of topics covered, using dozens of familiar texts, including the English of King Alfred, Chaucer, Shakespeare, and Addison. It is accompanied by a website with exercises for each chapter, and a range of extra resources.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781009228602
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	12/31/2025
Edition description:	3rd Revised ed.
Pages:	270
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 1.25(h) x 9.00(d)

About the Author

Charles Barber was formerly Reader in English Language and Literature at the University of Leeds. He died in 2000.

Joan C. Beal is Emeritus Professor of English Language at the University of Sheffield. Her publications include English Pronunciation in the Eighteenth Century (1999), English in Modern Times 1700-1945 (2004), An Introduction to Regional Englishes (2010). She is the editor of The New Cambridge History of the English Language, Volume 3 (2025).

Philip A. Shaw is Assistant Professor in Medieval Literary Studies at the University of Durham. His recent publications include Names and Naming in Beowulf (2020).

Table of Contents

List of figures; List of table; List of maps; Preface; 1. The changing English language?; 2. The prehistory of English; 3. Old English; 4. Middle English; 5. Early modern English; 6. Late modern English; 7. World Englishes; 8. English today and tomorrow; Notes and suggestions for further reading; Bibliography; Index.