Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Chamchiman]

Can anyone recommend a book on this topic?

Cheers.

[Ya-ta Boy]

'The Adventure of English' by Melvyn Bragg is OK but I enjoyed 'Mother Tongue' by Bill Bryson more--he's a wittier writer.

[ddeubel]

You might try English History: Diversity and Change Lots more where that came from....

Bryson sure enough writes entertainingly but the guy knows next to nothing about language. Many glaring errors in the book and downright exaggerations which distract from his enjoyable writing style (like his assertion when discussion Whorf - that the Japanese don't have swear words!!!) Idiotic. I was marooned in an airport and this was the only half interesting thing on the kiosk stand (if you are wondering).

DD
http://eflclassroom.ning.com

[excitinghead]

"The Story of English" is very accessible, and ties in with a very popular TV series of the same name. This is it's 3rd edition from 2002:

http://www.amazon.com/Story-English-Third-Revised/dp/0142002313/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226020778&sr=8-3

[jkamphof]

Yes, Bryson has a few errors but his book was a great read, just do a check on facts online to get the lowdown on some errors in the book. Geez, the guys a travel writer give him a break.

Also the Melvin Bragg book is a good read as well. Much more factful than Bryson's but very well written.

[BS.Dos.]

More a "painless primer on linguistics" rather than being strictly a history of the English language, but Anthony (A Clockwork Orange) Burgess's A Mouthful Of Air might be worth a look (check the editorial reviews).

I started reading it about 10-years ago, but never finished it. At the time, I didn't find it to be particulary accessible given that I wasn't especially interested in linguistics ( I think it was a gift), so the little I did read went mostly over my head. However, I reckon I'll give it another go when I get home next year.

[kimchi_pizza]

[Chamchiman]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Have a good weekend.

[greedy_bones]

not a book, but the lecture series "history of the english language" is pretty good.