Audiobook8 hours
A History of the English Language
Written by Michael Drout
Narrated by Henry Strozier
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4/5
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About this audiobook
Professor Drout addresses the foundation of language and its connection to specific portions of the brain. The components of language are explained in easy-to-understand terms and the progression of the language from Germanic to Old, Middle, and Modern English is fully illustrated-including such revolutionary language upheavals as those brought about by the Norman Conquest and the Great Vowel Shift. One of the most interesting aspects of the English language lies in its variants, such as the "soda" vs. "pop" debate and the place of African-American English in modern culture. These and other dialectual curiosities are looked at in detail and placed in the context of today's world. Finally, Professor Drout examines the future not only of the English language, but of all the world's languages.
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Reviews for A History of the English Language
Rating: 4.24999995 out of 5 stars
4/5
20 ratings2 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Still just as entertaining and enlightening as the first time I listened to these lectures.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great book to be listened to....I'm not sure I would have understood it nearly as well otherwise. Although, having the text would have afforded me the maps and other charts (pictures of the tongue and where to place it for certain types of sounds, etc.). I enjoyed it very much! Drout himself was not the best reader I have heard....but not nearly the worst!