A Plea for the Queen's English


Book Description

Henry Alford's A Plea for the Queen's English of 1864 (titled The Queen's English in later editions) was one of the earliest and most influential style manuals. It was not a comprehensive grammar, but instead moved through the language addressing topics Alford knew many people found difficult. Much of the content comprises his personal views on usage and abusage. Alford's manual shows little has changed since the 19th century. Section 26 looks at the incorrect insertion of the possessive apostrophe in plurals (Railway Station's for Railway Stations). The phenomenon is often referred to as the 'greengrocer's apostrophe' because of its frequency on market stall labels: potato's and carrot's, rather than the correct potatoes and carrots.




The Queen's English


Book Description







Language in History


Book Description

In Language in History, Tony Crowley provides the analytical tools for answering such questions. Using a radical re-reading of Saussure and Bahktin, he demonstrates, in four case studies, the ways in which language has been used to construct social and cultural identity in Britain and Ireland. For example, he examines the ways in which language was employed to construct a bourgeois public sphere in 18th Century England, and he reveals how language is still being used in contemporary Ireland to articulate national and political aspirations and why the Irish language died. By bringing together linguistic and critical theory with his own sharp historical and political consciousness, Tony Crowley provides a new agenda for language study; one which acknowledges the fact that writing about history has always been determined by the historical context, and by issues of race, class and gender. Language in History represents a major contribution to the field, and an essential text for anyone interested in language, discourse and communication.













The History of Late Modern Englishes


Book Description

The History of Late Modern Englishes provides an accessible and student-friendly introduction to the history of the English language from the beginning of the eighteenth century up until the present day. Taking an activity-based approach, this text ensures that students learn by engaging with the fascinating evolution of this language rather than by simply reading about it. The History of Late Modern Englishes: • Covers the development of Englishes around the world, not only in the British Isles, but also in the United States, Canada, India, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and Melanesia, as well as in other countries around the world where English is used as a lingua franca; • Accommodates the needs of both native and non-native speakers of English, with helpful features such as a glossary of key terms and questions to guide the reader through the book; • Includes activity sections and discussion points to help students engage with the text; • Is accompanied by e-resources which include further activities and additional coverage of points of interest in the book. Written by an experienced teacher and author, this book is an essential course textbook for any module on the history of English and the perfect accompaniment to the author’s own The History of Early English.




Bulletin


Book Description