The Origin of the Germanic and Scandinavian Languages, and Nations: with a Sketch of Their Literature, and Short Chronological Specimens of the Anglo-Saxon, Friesic, Flemish, Dutch, the German from the Moeso-Goths to the Present Time, the Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish; Tracing the Progress of These Languages; and Their Connexion with the Anglo-Saxon and the Present English; with a Map of European Languages
The Origin of the Germanic and Scandinavian Languages, and Nations: with a Sketch of Their Literature, and Short Chronological Specimens of the Anglo-Saxon, Friesic, Flemish, Dutch, the German from the Moeso-Goths to the Present Time, the Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish; Tracing the Progress of These Languages; and Their Connexion with the Anglo-Saxon and the Present English; with a Map of European Languages

Author: J. Bosworth

Publisher:

Published: 1836

Total Pages: 196

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue
Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue

Author: John McWhorter

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 2009-10-27

Total Pages: 258

ISBN-13: 1592404944

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

A survey of the quirks and quandaries of the English language, focusing on our strange and wonderful grammar Why do we say “I am reading a catalog” instead of “I read a catalog”? Why do we say “do” at all? Is the way we speak a reflection of our cultural values? Delving into these provocative topics and more, Our Magnificent Bastard Language distills hundreds of years of fascinating lore into one lively history. Covering such turning points as the little-known Celtic and Welsh influences on English, the impact of the Viking raids and the Norman Conquest, and the Germanic invasions that started it all during the fifth century ad, John McWhorter narrates this colorful evolution with vigor. Drawing on revolutionary genetic and linguistic research as well as a cache of remarkable trivia about the origins of English words and syntax patterns, Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue ultimately demonstrates the arbitrary, maddening nature of English— and its ironic simplicity due to its role as a streamlined lingua franca during the early formation of Britain. This is the book that language aficionados worldwide have been waiting for (and no, it’s not a sin to end a sentence with a preposition).