English in North America

Cambridge University Press publishes “exceedingly” handsome books! Its multi‐volume history of the English language is blazing the way towards a full, meticulously rounded account of how English evolved into an indispensable world lingua franca. The five volumes already available (analysed in the final five pages of this sixth volume) embrace The Beginnings to 1066; 1066‐1476; 1476‐1776; 1776‐1997; English in Britain and overseas: origins and development.

The authoritative coverage extends from areas of central linguistic interest and concern to more specialised topics such as personal and place names, ethnic and overseas varieties of English, contact with other languages. Exemplary features...