A History of the English Language explores the linguistic and cultural development of English from the Roman conquest of England to the present day to provide a comprehensive overview of the different aspects of its history. This best-selling classic textbook encourages the reader to develop both an understanding of present-day English and an enlightened attitude toward the issues affecting the language today.

Fully revised and updated, the new edition includes the latest developments in the field and offers:

• an updated coverage of corpus linguistics and the development of syntax
• current debates about pronouns, technology and the internet
• revised discussions on dialects in the UK and US
• expanded coverage of Global Englishes and a fuller discussion of language contact
• newly organized and updated chapter bibliographies.

Balanced and wide-ranging, this textbook is a must-read for any student studying the history of the English language.