David Crystal

Demonstrates how the history of English vernacular is reflected in one hundred words with sources in key influences and events, from "roe" and "loaf" to "fopdoodle" and "twittersphere."

The Story of English in 100 Words

Reveals language's myriad intricacies and quirks. This book focuses on the development of unique linguistic styles, the origins of obscure accents, and the search for the first written word. It discusses the plight of endangered languages, as well as successful cases of linguistic revitalization.

A Little Book of Language

A history of the English language draws on the diversity of dialects and regional accents around the world, as well as the dialects that appear in a variety of literary classics, to explain the significance of the language.

The Stories of English

A little book of language

A lesser-known history of English spelling by the award-winning author of The Story of English in 100 Words is presented through engaging, pithy chapters that cover such topics as the introduction of the Roman alphabet, each letter's origins and the development of long and short vowels.

The Curious, Enthralling and Extraordinary Story of English Spelling

Spell It Out

How Babies Babble, Words Change Meaning, and Languages Live or Die

How Language Works

Ben Crystal

Essential guidance for students and playgoers around the world. A unique dictionary to unlock the mysteries of Shakespeare's world, words and language, compiled by renowned English language expert David Crystal and Shakespearean actor and producer Ben Crystal. Over 4000 Shakespearean words clearly explained with examples from the twelve most studied and performed plays including Macbeth, Hamlet, Julius Caesar, Romeo and Juliet, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Notes giving insights into Shakespeare's use of language, his society, and theatrical performances. Panels covering the language and conventions used in a wide range of fascinating topics including money, insults, and swearing. Full-colour illustrations of the Elizabethan's bright cosmos, sharp and vicious weapons, fashions of the day, musical instruments, and maps of the lands and place names ! This is the most up-to-date and accessible language reference tool which will boost your understanding and enjoyment of Shakespeare's plays.

Oxford Illustrated Shakespeare Dictionary

Language Death

Honorary Professor of Linguistics David Crystal

Explores the history, current status, and potential of English as an international language of communication, featuring in the new edition coverage of English on the Internet and the concept of an English "family" of languages. Simultaneous. (Language)

English as a Global Language

Words, Words, Words is all about the wonder of words. Drawing on a lifetime's experience, David Crystal explores language in all its rich varieties through words: the very building blocks of our communication. Language has no life of its own: it only exists in the mouths and ears, hands, eyes and brains of its users. As we are guided expertly and passionately through the mysteries and delights of word origins, histories, spellings, regional and social variations, taboo words, jargon,and wordplay, the contribution we all play in shaping the linguistic world around us becomes evident. Words, Words, Words is a celebration of what we say and how we say it. It invites us to engage linguistically with who we are: to understand what words tell us about where we come from and what we do. And as they continually shape our lives, it suggests ways that we can look at words anew and get involved with collecting and coining words ourselves.

Words, Words, Words

A lighthearted exploration of the origin, function and purpose of language addresses a wide range of topics to offer insight into what can be learned through verbal and body language, from the role of gestures and the evolution of grammar to the intricacies of different languages and the layout of the human throat.

How Babies Babble, Words Change Meaning, and Languages Liveor Die

A vital resource for scholars, students and actors, this book contains glosses and quotes for over 14,000 words that could be misunderstood by or are unknown to a modern audience. Displayed panels look at such areas of Shakespeare's language as greetings, swear-words and terms of address. Plot summaries are included for all Shakespeare's plays and on the facing page is a unique diagramatic representation of the relationships within each play.

A Glossary and Language Companion

Shakespeare's Words

David Crystal ends his triumphant trilogy about the English language by looking at the way we punctuate and why.

The Persnickety Story of English Punctuation

Making a Point

The world's greatest authority on language explains the secrets and subtleties of the grammar of English. David Crystal explores its history and varieties, explains its rules and irregularities and shows how to navigate its snares and pitfalls. He gives practical guidance on how grammar is used in different ways for different purposes and in different social settings. In a series of revealing illustrations he also considers what learned and prominent people have said about English grammar over the centuries. Like its three companion volumes Making Sense will appeal to everyone interested in the English language and how to use it.

The Glamorous Story of English Grammar

Making Sense

Some people say sconn, while others say schown. He says bath, while she says bahth. You say potayto. I say potahto And--wait a second, no one says potahto. No one's ever said potahto. Have they? From reconstructing Shakespeare's accent to the rise and fall of Received Pronunciation, actor Ben Crystal and his linguist father David travel the world in search of the stories of spoken English. Everyone has an accent, though many of us think we don't. We all have our likes and dislikes about the way other people speak, and everyone has something to say about "correct" pronunciation. But how did all these accents come about, and why do people feel so strongly about them? Are regional accents dying out as English becomes a global language? And most importantly of all: what went wrong in Birmingham? Witty, authoritative, and jam-packed full of fascinating facts, You Say Potato is a celebration of the myriad ways in which the English language is spoken--and how our accents, in so many ways, speak louder than words.

A Book about Accents

You Say Potato

David Crystal has revised his survey of the English language in all its forms. As well as the structure of the language, the uses of English throughout the world and a brief history, there is a new chapter on the effect of technology on the language.

A Guided Tour of the Language

The English Language

A second edition, newly revised for the current generation, includes extensive illustrated coverage of world English and Internet English as well as updated statistics, further reading suggestions, and additional reference lists. Simultaneous. (Language)

The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language

Crystal turns the history of the language on its head and provides a startlingly original view of where the richness, creativity, and diversity of the language truly lies: in the accents and dialects of nonstandard English users all over the globe.

A personal journey through the groves and thickets of the English language, this title combines personal reflections, historical allusions and travel observations to create a mesmerising account of David Crystal's encounters with the language throughout the world. Accessible, highly engaging and in a style similiar to Bill Bryson, 'By Hook or By Crook' will not only appeal to linguists and scholars but to the bigger broad market.

David Crystal

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