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Article: The Oxford History of English.(Brief article)(Book review)
- Article from:
- Contemporary Review
- Article date:
- March 22, 2007
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 Contemporary Review Company Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The Oxford History of English. Lynda Mugglestone, editor. Oxford University Press. [pounds sterling]30.00. xii + 485 pages. ISBN 0-19-924931-8. This collection of fourteen essays emphasises 'pluralism and diversity, and ... the complex patterns of usage which' have been the English language. English is a 'heterogeneous' language and always has been, as are, presumably, other languages which exist over large areas. Having said that, a 'standard English' has emerged as have 'dual standards' among writers who knew both. It is a language always in transition. Chapters deal with the pre-history of English, Old English, the influences of Latin, Norse and French, the dialects of ...