English - One Tongue, Many Voices

-1 English the working tongue of the global village. -PART I: History of an island language. -2 The first 500 years. -3 1066 and All That. -4 Modern English in the making. -PART II: The spread of English around the world. -5 English goes to the New World. -6 English transplanted. -7 English varieties in the British Isles. -8 American and British English. -9 English, pidgins and creoles. -PART III: A changing language in changing times. -10 The standard language today. -11 Linguistic change in progress: Back to the Inner Circle. -12 Electronic English. -13 English into the future. -Notes: Comments and References. -References. -Index of people. -Index of topics. -Pronunciation

Jan Svartvik and Geoffrey Leech

'If you read only one book on the English language-read this one. English - One Tongue, Many Voices covers all aspects of the English language: its global spread, international and local varieties, history from obscurity to primacy, usage and uses, standards and creoles, style and change in progress, politics and controversy. The scope of the book is vast, its depth impressive, and its balance admirable. Elegantly written, with serious content lightheartedly presented, abundantly illustrated with samples and pictures, informative and entertaining, accessible to all, this is a book by two fine scholars who love the language and know how to convey their enthusiasm to readers. The reader will come away from this book with a deep understanding of the English language and an appreciation of its marvels and mysteries'. - John Algeo, Professor Emeritus of English, University of Georgia, USA'I am delighted that Jan Svartvik and Geoffrey Leech have put their hands to this great venture. As experienced collaborators, they bring to the story of English a rare combination of deep scholarly learning and a flair for lively writing.' - Randolph Quirk, University College London, UK'Jan Svartvik and Geoffrey Leech are brilliant story tellers about the English language. This book will benefit teachers and learners of English all over the world, giving vivid pictures of where the language came from, what it is now, and where it will be going.' - Yukio Tono, Meikai University, Japan '...there is no doubt that this will be a highly successful book, and rightly so. It is authored by two great names in the discipline...It is written lightheartedly and appealingly...Overall the presentation of information is effective, concise, and accessible, connecting with what may be expected to be an average reader's background...it will educate and inform novice readers and raise interest in the English language in all of its richness and variability' - Edgar W. Schneider, English Word-Wide