A Social History of English

by Dick Leith

A Social History of English is the first history of the English language to utilize the techniques, insights and concerns of sociolinguistics. Written in a non-technical way, it takes into account standardization, pidginization, bi- and multilingualism, the issues of language maintenance and language loyalty, and linguistic variation.
This new edition has been fully revised. Additions * new material about 'New Englishes' across the world
* a new chapter entitled 'A Critical Linguistic History of English Texts'
* a discussion of problems involved in writing a history of English
All terms and concepts are explained as they are introduced, and linguistic examples are chosen for their accessibility and intelligibility to the general reader.
It will be of interest to students of Sociolinguistics, English Language, History and Cultural Studies.

Genres: History, Linguistics, Language, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[César Lasso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved to read a history of the English language from the point of view of its speakers. I learnt a lot. The book is entertaining and not excessively scholar. I particularly enjoyed its non-academic style, easy to understand and avoiding scholarly explanations.

Toward the end, there is a selection of sample texts covering the last millennium. Some of the archaic words are translated. With a little help, I think I might be able to enjoy medieval literature in its original language.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read for the common person who has an interest in the impact of society on the English language (or any language, in a sense). The technical bits are forgivable; you'll still be able to learn a great deal about the language.

[Being or Notbeing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended not only for English users but also for other language speakers.
"Finally, we shall see how an early form of what we can call language-loyalty surfaced in the fourteenth century, linking the English language with a patriotism based on antipathy towards France."

[Carolin · Rating 2 out of 5]

How did the people in England talk before there was an English language? Who were the parents of the English language? When did it grow up and who are its relatives? How did different expressions develop throughout the centuries and how come that some words mean something completely different now than 400 years ago? And why does the English language have such different faces in the different parts of Britian and the world?

If you burn to know the answers to these questions, then this is the right book for you. In my opinion some chapters were very interesting, some not so much. I've learned many new things about English history, pronounciation, influences and dialects, but all in all I really think that some parts could have been shortened.