The story of English : how the English language conquered the world
(Book)

"First published in Great Britain in 2009"--T.p. verso.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 295-[297]) and index.

This is the story of the English language in all its richness and variety, a fascinating tale of linguistic, social and cultural transformation. From the intriguing origins and changing definitions of common words such as 'OK', 'berserk', 'curfew', to the massive transformations wrought in the vocabulary and structure of the language by Anglo-Saxon and Norman conquest, through to the literary triumphs of Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales and the works of Shakespeare, right up to the profound and surprising effect electronic media have had on its development. [From publisher's description]