The Origins and Development of the English Language

This text is intended for History of the English Language courses that are generally taken by linguistics and English majors as well as future teachers of English (for whom the course is often required).

About the Author :
John Algeo is Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Georgia. He is past president of the American Dialect Society, the Dictionary Society of North America, and the American Name Society. He was an associate editor of the OXFORD COMPANION TO THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE and editor of Volume 6 of the CAMBRIDGE HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE: ENGLISH IN NORTH AMERICA. He was a Fulbright Senior Research Scholar and a Guggenheim Fellow at University College London and is author of the 2006 Cambridge book BRITISH OR AMERICAN ENGLISH? A HANDBOOK OF WORD AND GRAMMAR PATTERNS.

Review :
- . . . provides the greatest coverage of periods . . . presents the elements of language . . . in an approach which trims down the entire period but leaves enough of the linguistic elements for students to be able to understand how language actually does change.- -It remains the best choice for my students.- -ORIGINS is comprehensive, allows a professor to be selective, and reflects new research.- -The [companion book of problems] is one of the textbook's greatest strengths because it allows students to put into practice the principles that are presented. The exercises help to complete learning that starts with the readings in the textbook.- -This relatively slim volume is attractive and accessible for undergraduate and graduate students, has so much information, and could serve even as a reference source.- " . . . provides the greatest coverage of periods . . . presents the elements of language . . . in an approach which trims down the entire period but leaves enough of the linguistic elements for students to be able to understand how language actually does change." ," . . provides the greatest coverage of periods . . . presents the elements of language . . . in an approach which trims down the entire period but leaves enough of the linguistic elements for students to be able to understand how language actually does change." "It remains the best choice for my students." "ORIGINS is comprehensive, allows a professor to be selective, and reflects new research." "The [companion book of problems] is one of the textbook's greatest strengths because it allows students to put into practice the principles that are presented. The exercises help to complete learning that starts with the readings in the textbook." "This relatively slim volume is attractive and accessible for undergraduate and graduate students, has so much information, and could serve even as a reference source."