The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language [S0015]

1995 PB (11x9-inches) with just minor wear. English is arguably the nearest thing we have to a world language, and yet it is a language with a wealth of varieties, dialects, and traditions, all developing in different ways and at different speeds. This book is a superbly written and illustrated exploration of the history, structure, and use of English throughout the world. World-renowned linguist and author, David Crystal, explores the many facets and varieties of the English language, bringing life to this large and complex subject. He begins with the origins of English in Anglo-Saxon times and follows the growth of the language to the present. Every major English-speaking country is included, and the book abounds with insights into how English evolved and how it works. The author pays particular attention to the use of language in literature and how it permeates humor. He allows language to "speak for itself" by using quotations, photographs, newspaper clippings, poems, advertisements, cartoons, and many other types of illustrative material that vividly complement his narrative. Author Crystal systematically covers the structural features of English, and includes a complete description of grammar, a summary of pronunciation and writing systems, and a thorough treatment of the size and complexity of vocabulary. He explains technical aspects in simple and accessible terms and includes a glossary to assist the reader with unclear language terminology. Highly visual with striking color illustrations, panels and boxed features throughout, this book is fascinating reading for the widest possible audience.

From Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "A superb reference book covering all aspects of the development of the English language, its vocabulary, usage, orthography, spelling, variants, punctuation etc. David Crystal wears his expertise lightly, which makes the book a delight to use and very accessible, with lots of illustrations, diagrams, photos and examples. There are also appendices and lists for further reading. In general, Crystal is a pragmatist who loves language; he is certainly not an authoritarian pedant. He accepts and explains language change, including controversies such as whether or not it's acceptable to end a sentence with a preposition (it is). He lets readers make up their own minds, aware of the implications of whichever choice they make."; "Wow. A history of English, as it is spoken, written, taught, and learned. Many, many maps, illustrations, references, sidebars, and photographs are included in this wonderful encyclopedia. The scope and breadth of this work includes examples of English literature from Beowulf, Chaucer, Hamlet, and The Cat in the Hat. There are studies of accents and pronunciations, Scandinavian place names in the English speaking world, how English grammar evolved from that of a quasi-Saxon tongue into a blend of Norman French (we herd sheep and eat mutton, for example), why English is so hard to spell, the War of the Split Infinitive, glossolalia from speaking in tongues to the scat stylings of Baloo the Bear in Walt Disney's The Jungle Book, and so much more. One page will keep me entertained for hours. The whole book would keep me up at night for weeks."; "This is not the type of book you have to read from cover to cover. It's one of those you just wade through in whatever direction you like as well as using it for specific references. In other words it's a treasure chest of goodies...amusing, enlightening, absorbing and satisfying."