Synopsis
"Burchfield's brilliant book on the English language is both scholarly and human. It is the best brief survey I have read of the development of English ...it conveys an authentic sense of the great mystery of language. It instructs, but it also compels wonder." Anthony Burgess Dr Burchfield stresses both the flexibility and the resilience of the language as he describes the sweeping changes that have transformed it from the relative uniformity of Anglo-Saxon to the many varieties of English spoken throughout the world today. He gives special prominence to the recording of the language in dictionaries and grammars, and to the linguistic importance of migration from the homeland. He pays close attention to particular areas such as pronounciation, dialect, slang, the formation of words, the language of literature, and the language of the English Bible. He also examines and questions the attitudes and methods of some modern scholars. The reader is left in no doubt about the extraordinary richness of the language. As to the future, Dr Burchfield believes that, whatever changes the language may undergo, English will remain a splendidly endowed communicative force for centuries to come. This book is intended for students of English language, linguistics, and literature (A-level and above); general readers interested in the development of the English language, and collectors of the OPUS series.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
About the Author:
Robert Burchfield is Chief Editor of the Oxford English Dictionary. He is also the author of The Spoken Word: A BBC Guide and editor of William Cobbett's A Grammar of the English Language.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for The English Language (Opus Books)
Stock Image
The English Language
Published by
Oxford University Press, 1987
ISBN 10: 0192891618
ISBN 13: 9780192891617
Used
paperback
Seller: New Legacy Books, Annandale, NJ, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Good. The pages show normal wear. Fast shipping and order satisfaction guaranteed. A portion of your purchase benefits Non-Profit Organizations, First Aid and Fire Stations! Seller Inventory # mon0000073936
Stock Image
The English Language
Published by
Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 1987
ISBN 10: 0192891618
ISBN 13: 9780192891617
Used
Softcover
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 3139182-20
Stock Image
The English Language
Published by
Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 1987
ISBN 10: 0192891618
ISBN 13: 9780192891617
Used
Softcover
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 48923718-6
Stock Image
The English Language
Published by
Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 1987
ISBN 10: 0192891618
ISBN 13: 9780192891617
Used
Softcover
Seller: Better World Books: West, Reno, NV, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 39308952-75
Stock Image
The English Language (Opus Books)
Published by
Oxford University Press, 1987
ISBN 10: 0192891618
ISBN 13: 9780192891617
Used
Softcover
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Seller Inventory # R14P-01152
Stock Image
The English Language (Opus Books)
Published by
Oxford Paperbacks 01/02/1987, 1987
ISBN 10: 0192891618
ISBN 13: 9780192891617
Used
Softcover
Seller: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780192891617
Buy Used
£ 2.50
£ 4.99 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 2 available
Stock Image
The English Language
Published by
Oxford University Press, 1987
ISBN 10: 0192891618
ISBN 13: 9780192891617
Used
Softcover
Seller: MusicMagpie, Stockport, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. 1758004711. 9/16/2025 6:38:31 AM. Seller Inventory # U9780192891617
Buy Used
£ 2.49
£ 5.49 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The English Language (Opus Books)
Published by
Oxford University Press, United Kingdom, Oxford, 1986
ISBN 10: 0192891618
ISBN 13: 9780192891617
Used
Paperback
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. "Burchfield's brilliant book on the English language is both scholarly and human. It is the best brief survey I have read of the development of English .it conveys an authentic sense of the great mystery of language. It instructs, but it also compels wonder." Anthony Burgess Dr Burchfield stresses both the flexibility and the resilience of the language as he describes the sweeping changes that have transformed it from the relative uniformity of Anglo-Saxon to the many varieties of English spoken throughout the world today. He gives special prominence to the recording of the language in dictionaries and grammars, and to the linguistic importance of migration from the homeland. He pays close attention to particular areas such as pronounciation, dialect, slang, the formation of words, the language of literature, and the language of the English Bible. He also examines and questions the attitudes and methods of some modern scholars. The reader is left in no doubt about the extraordinary richness of the language. As to the future, Dr Burchfield believes that, whatever changes the language may undergo, English will remain a splendidly endowed communicative force for centuries to come. This book is intended for students of English language, linguistics, and literature (A-level and above); general readers interested in the development of the English language, and collectors of the OPUS series. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR007297475
Buy Used
£ 0.73
£ 7.80 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 3 available
Stock Image
The English Language (Opus Books)
Published by
Oxford Paperbacks 01/02/1987, 1987
ISBN 10: 0192891618
ISBN 13: 9780192891617
Used
Softcover
Seller: Bahamut Media, Reading, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780192891617
Buy Used
£ 2.65
£ 6.98 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 2 available
Stock Image
The English Language
Published by
Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 1987
ISBN 10: 0192891618
ISBN 13: 9780192891617
Used
Softcover
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 3139182-20
Buy Used
£ 4.68
£ 5 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available