The Story Of English

[mbkudu]

Ken's statement about how English is changing so fast made me think of a book I read recently called, 'The Story of English,' by Robert McCrum, Robert MacNeil and William Cran. It's an historical account of the language and how it has progressed and changed over the years. Many of the changes are from influences of immigration, fashion, media, wars, slavery, technology, ect. It's a very fascinating book that reads quickly. It really opened up my eyes to the reasons why English is the way it is. It really proves that English does not belong to the English and that it will change from the influence of other cultures regardless of how people feel about it.

[Ijustwannateach]

I think I read that book some time ago- and yes, it was quite good.

"Steven"

[wilko]

Ken's statement about how English is changing so fast made me think of a book I read recently called, 'The Story of English,' by Robert McCrum, Robert MacNeil and William Cran. It's an historical account of the language and how it has progressed and changed over the years. Many of the changes are from influences of immigration, fashion, media, wars, slavery, technology, ect. It's a very fascinating book that reads quickly. It really opened up my eyes to the reasons why English is the way it is. It really proves that English does not belong to the English and that it will change from the influence of other cultures regardless of how people feel about it.

Yes a good book but although updated originally published 20 years ago! it accompanied a TV series on the History of the English language. It also kills any idea of American English being "new" and UK English "old"...

A couple more books that you might find fun are "Mother Tongue" and "Made in America(USA?)" by Bill Bryson. Especially mother tongue, I couldn't put it down!

Edited January 14, 2006 by wilko

[mbkudu]

A couple more books that you might find fun are "Mother Tongue" and "Made in America(USA?)" by Bill Bryson. Especially mother tongue, I couldn't put it down!

Thanks Wilko, I'll check them out.

[keekwai]

Saw the television series based on that book. Facinating! .. It was a toss up between Spanish & English for a while as to which would be dominant for a while. Then the Brits colonized America .. and the rest is "History"

I can accept the American variations on the language .. I even agree with their phonetic spelling tendencies .. but I wish they'd keep their "Macca's , KFC , Rap Crap & other bits of plastic disposable culture confined to their own shores. (Sorry 'bout that little rant! .. I feel better now! .. wooh!)

Edited January 18, 2006 by keekwai

[wilko]

The great thing about English is there are no rules, only conventions.

I love the way it changes from country to country and of course region to region (esp. in UK).

What I find so quaint about American English is in amongst all the new jargon and fidle-di -dee, is the continued use of very old English; words and expressions such as "gotten" and @for sure" which fell out of use in UK years ago are still common in the states.

my father hated what he thought to be the Americanisation of English, but in truth this isn't happening, English is an organic language and takes on words and meanings from anywhere to suit its needs…giving it that certain quality je ne sais quoi......blah blah blah.....ad infinitum