Studies in English Language / From Old English to Standard English

Preface to the Third and Second Editions.- Symbols.- Texts and Facsimiles.- Symbols.- Acknowledgements.- Introduction.- The English Language is Brought to Britain.- Old English (I).- Old English (II).- From Old English to Middle English.- Early Middle English 12th Century.- Early Middle English 13th Century.- Northern and Southern Texts Compared.- The 14th Century Southern and Kentish Dialects.- The 14th Century Northern Dialects.- The 14th Century West Midlands Dialects.- The 14th Century East Midlands and London Dialects.- The London Dialect Chaucer, Late 14th Century.- Early Modern English I The 15th Century.- Early Modern English II The 16th Century I.- Early Modern English III The 16th Century II.- Early Modern English IV The 17th Century I.- Early Modern English V The 17th Century II.- Modern English The 18th Century.- From Old English to Modern English Comparing Historical Texts.- Postscript I To the Present Day.- Bibliography.- Index.

DENNIS FREEBORN was Head of Language Studies at the College of Ripon and York St. John, UK, until 1984, and was Chief Examiner in English Language Studies for the London University Schools Examinations Board. He is the author of A Course Book in English Grammar and Varieties of English, both also published by Palgrave Macmillan.

'This is in many respects a really excellent book. The range of coverage is impressive, there is a strong emphasis on primary sources, and the material is clearly explained and presented in a format which assumes no prior knowledge. The treatment of spelling and punctuation change is particularly good, and there are many interesting and useful activities.' - Carole Hough, University of Glasgow, UK'This study is an excellent textbook not only for English majors but for linguistic students of other languages as well who can benefit highly from a comparative perspective and tracing patterns of developments that took place in the English language. The activities offered at the end of each chapter are highly beneficial allowing readers to deepen their understanding of the contents of the chapters. The texts offer valuable explanation of the chronicles. It is an in depth study of the evolving variations in language over time and an insightful analysis of the development of the English language.' - Zeinab Ibrahim, The American University in Cairo Review of the previous edition:'This volume is so crammed with examples from across the centuries that it is a pleasure to browse through its pages.'  - The Guardian