An Historical Study of English

The book presents a dynamic perspective on the history of the English language, emphasizing the interplay between internal linguistic mechanisms and external factors. It synthesizes recent developments in historical linguistics, exploring changes in writing systems, pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. Key examples include the standardization of spellings, the Great Vowel Shift, and the emergence of non-standard varieties like eighteenth-century Scots and twentieth-century British Black English. This engaging analysis is aimed at students and contributes significantly to the field.