The Adventure of English: The Biography of a Language

Melvyn, Lord Bragg, whose native language was not Standard English, but rather a North-of-England Fenland dialect that he says has lots of Saxon, Danish and even Romany words in it, has written a paean to the English language. "English doesn't borrow from other languages... English sneaks up on other languages in dark alleys, beats other languages over the head, and pulls extra words out of the other language's pockets." I can't remember who said that, but I think it was George Bernard Shaw. Whoever said it illustrates Bragg's thesis...English is a proud language that is not too proud to borrow, from Norman French, from Latin, from Spanish, from American Indians, and from the cowboys of the wild west. If you ever wonder where the words you say everyday came from, read this book...written more like an adventure novel than a philologist's screed...and then you'll know. Walt Boyes Editor in Chief CONTROL magazine www.controlglobal.com read my blog at http://waltboyes.livejournal.com

If you love the beauty, subtlety and adaptability of English, this book will give you very many insights into how English has reached its current position, as probably the world's pre-eminent language. At no stage a 'dry' text book, Bragg's book moves at the speed of light and with all the twists and turns of a Michael Connelly crime novel. This is the history of a people as well as its language. Of how it emerged from three hundred years of French rule during which French and Latin were the only 'recognised' written lnaguages. And how from these languages it absorbed adapted, enriched and broadened English so it could communicate on an ever wider range of issues. Touches on the Roman Catholic Church in England and, shamefully, how it insisted on all bibles being in Latin and therefore having to be mediated by the 'chosen' ones the bishops and priests who where then able to misuse their power of being, effectively, the voice of God. I could not put down this book and would select it as a present for most of my friends. Buy it and experience the thrill of discovery which so many readers will find. I also saw the book presented in a 25 episode program on Australian TV, enjoyed it then, and was further delighted by the book

Few can doubt the impact that English presently has on the world. English is the language of business, technology, finance and, perhaps most importantly, the internet. Yet while English has now assumed a paramount position as the world's language, this was not always the case. After the fall of the Roman Empire there was great doubt as to whether English would even survive. In this regard, it owes much to the efforts of Alfred the Great who was able to withstand the Danes and find a toehold in which English could flourish. But having withstood this early treat, English was once again placed in jeopardy following the Norman invasion in 1066. It was only the fact that the common people were able use it amongst themselves that it sustained the impact of a Francophone ruling class. The English fight back came with the arrival of bubonic plague. With so many priests succumbing to the disease, common English language preachers were required to fill the gap. In so doing, English was given unexpected impetus. What followed was the arrival of Chaucer and then Shakespeare. English proceeded to snatch words from other languages and, indeed, this has been its strength. Unlike other languages, French being the best example, it has not been ossified by an overarching academy seeking to dictate rules and words. English is wonderfully flexible. Melvyn Bragg does a superb job in bringing vitality to the story of English. It is a language with an exciting history and he tells the story well. The book is the companion to an eight part television series that is equally magnificent. "The Adventure of English" is a book that I can highly recommend. It should be read by anyone interested in knowing how this all powerful language came to its pre-eminent position.

This easy to read volume discusses the history and development of the English language. It covers the period from the invasion of the Angles and Saxons up to modern times. There were a few close calls in the history of English. We could be speaking Danish or French, if history had turned out differently. What would the world be like then? Each chapter covers a different era of English history and towards the end of the book, American and International English history. It breaks down how certain important events influenced the development of the English language. It also provides some samples of word origins, and how grammar has gradually changed over the centuries. I think that anyone who is interested in English or history, and especially anyone who is interested in both, should pick this up.