This book provides an outline history of English spelling from the Anglo-Saxon' adoption of the Roman alphabet to the present day. It shows the respective influences on modern usage of native French and Latin orthographies and attempts a definition of the manner in which spelling stabilised. A final chapter traces changing notions of correctness in spelling during the last four centuries, and also gives a summary of the principle movements for its reform in favour of a more consistent and phonetic system of notion.
Students in higher education specialising in English or linguistics and also those studying other languages at an advanced level should find this a useful book. The general reader with an interest in the history of his language or the question of spelling will find it most readable -- .
By:
D. G. Scragg Other:
Rebecca Mortimer Imprint: Manchester Univ. Press Country of Publication: United Kingdom Edition: New edition Dimensions:
Height: 216mm,
Width: 138mm,
Spine: 8mm
Weight: 181g ISBN:9780719006395 ISBN 10: 0719006392 Pages: 125 Publication Date:31 August 2011 Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Undergraduate
Format:Paperback Publisher's Status: Active
List of illustrations Acknowledgments Abbreviations and signs Phonetic symbols 1. The foundation 2. The collapse of the standard 3. The French invasion 4. Renaissance and re-formation 5. The power of the press 6. Sound spelling Bibliography Word index Subject index -- .
D.G. Scragg is Professor of Anglo-Saxon Studies at the University of Manchester.
