A History of English Spelling

by Scragg, D. G.

• ISBN13: 9780719006395
• ISBN10: 0719006392
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-08-31
• Publisher: MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY PRESS

Summary

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 stabilized. 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 favor of a more consistent and phonetic system of notion. Students in higher education specializing 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

Author Biography

D.G. Scragg is a Professor of Anglo-Saxon Studies at the University of Manchester.

Table of Contents

List of illustrations

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations and signs

Phonetic symbols

The foundation

The collapse of the standard

The French invasion

Renaissance and re-formation

The power of the press

Sound spelling

Bibliography

Word index

Subject index

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