The English Language

Charles Barber was formerly Reader in English Language and Literature at the University of Leeds. He died in 2000. Joan C. Beal is Emeritus Professor of English Language at the University of Sheffield. Her publications include English Pronunciation in the Eighteenth Century (1999), English in Modern Times 1700-1945 (2004), An Introduction to Regional Englishes (2010). She is the editor of The New Cambridge History of the English Language, Volume 3 (2025). Philip A. Shaw is Assistant Professor in Medieval Literary Studies at the University of Durham. His recent publications include Names and Naming in Beowulf (2020).

'Barber's The English Language has for many years and in various editions been an absolutely invaluable reference-point for students, acclaimed by teachers for its unrivalled clarity and the authority of its content. However, since the last edition the subject has not stood still; developments in the availability of analytic tools, in pedagogy, and in social attitudes mean a fresh edition is now required. Joan Beal and Philip Shaw are to be heartily congratulated on this sensitive yet thorough update, harnessing and interrogating the very latest research in English historical linguistics.' Jeremy J. Smith, Senior Research Fellow and Professor Emeritus, University of Glasgow

• List of figures; List of table; List of maps; Preface; 1. The changing English language?; 2. The prehistory of English; 3. Old English; 4. Middle English; 5. Early modern English; 6. Late modern English; 7. World Englishes; 8. English today and tomorrow; Notes and suggestions for further reading; Bibliography; Index.