How the english language became the worlds language by robert mccrum. How english became the worlds language ebook written by robert mccrum. But theres something about robert mccrums new book, globish, that. How the english language became the worlds language, robert mccrum notes that, at the time we believed we were providing a snapshot of the english language at the height of its power and influence, a reflection of the angloamerican hegemonythe story of english might turn out to be a last hurrah. Globish by robert mccrum overdrive rakuten overdrive. If you have a a small number of mostused words, like the globish 1500, and b simple grammatical forms, you can easily use texting. Mccrum does not use the term globish, coined by jeanpaul. Globish author explains how english has taken root. The first british, the second american and then the third the globish stage the one in which english is used as international default position. Mccrum is the coauthor of the story of english with william cran and robert macneil and wrote p. Discover book depositorys huge selection of robert mccrum books online. How english became the worlds language mccrum, robert on.
Recovering life after a stroke by robert mccrum 19980917 jan 1, 1674. The best books on us and uk english recommended by robert mccrum. So it comes as a sort of vindication to learn towards the end of robert mccrums erudite, riveting and often very funny globish that about. That of course is the starting point for robert mccrums book, an account of how english achieved its present status, framed by an argument. Globish, robert mccrum s new book, evokes these meetings, from their beginnings on a small island in the north atlantic to our internetted, globalized present, in a vibrant, textured detail that is travelogue, social theory and etymological guide. In this entertaining and informative book robert mccrum explains how this state of affairs came about. Globish book the seattle public library bibliocommons. Mccrum is one of several recent writers who argue that the latest and greatest achievement of english is to have transcended the legacy of empire. Thats a question robert mccrum tries to answer in his new book, globish, which explores the way english took the world by storm over the. Robert mccrum books list of books by author robert mccrum. To the internet archive community, time is running out. A fascinating study not only of the roots and growth of our own language but of its future. This book was scattershotthe author introduces a term, globish, without ever really.
The story of english to the 19th century is, essentially, that of england from the arrival of the anglosaxon invaders in the fifth century ce, although mccrum s story begins with the arrival of the romans in 55 bce. Unfortunately for robert mccrum, his book does not always compare favourably with others that cover similar ground. In globish, robert mccrum traces the spread of english the new. How the english language became the worlds language 9780393062557. Does robert mccrum have an issue with concentrating on one topic. The best books on us and uk english five books expert. A quarter of a century ago, robert mccrum cowrote the story of english, a television series whose spinoff book was on a higher level than most such exercises.
Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. Id like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the bookbag. How english became globish english rose from humble beginnings to become a language thats spoken by people from every corner of the earth. If youre interested in language the have a look at our top ten books about language. But globish belongs to a new postimperial wave in which the story has been reframed to make it less anglocentric. Globish, robert mccrum s new book, evokes these meetings, from their beginnings on a small island in the north atlantic to our internetted, globalized present, in a vibrant, textured detail that. Author robert mccrum discusses globish the boston globe. Right now, a generous supporter will match your donation 2to. He is the coauthor of the story of english 1986, and has written six novels. Discover more authors youll love listening to on audible. If the trades descriptions act extended to book titles there would be grounds for litigation. Open library is an initiative of the internet archive, a 501c3 nonprofit, building a digital library of internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. Globish is the name given by a frenchman to a form of simplified english spoken by nonnative speakers as a pidgin.
How the english language became the worlds language isbn 9780393062557, describing globish as an economic phenomenon, unlike global english whose uses are much more diverse than just business. English has also become, as robert mccrum asserts in globish norton. Robert mccrum is the associate editor of the observer and lives in london with his wife, sarah lyall. Globish how the english language became the worlds language book. Mccrum received an honorary doctorate from heriotwatt university in 2011.
Globish by robert mccrum, 9780141027104, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Robert mccrum author robert mccrum is the associate editor of the observer and lives in london with his wife, sarah lyall. Now revised, the story of english is the first book to tell the whole story of the english language. Last parts of globish the world over be at broadlyunderstood level. His books are mostly just as good, especially his 2004 biography of. Hes the associate editor at the london observer and was the coauthor, with our own robert macneil, of the story of english. Robert mccrum, coauthor of the bestselling book and television series the story of english, shows how the language of the angloamerican imperium has become the worlds lingua franca. Originally paired with a major pbs miniseries, this book presents a stimulating and comprehensive record of spoken and written englishfrom its anglosaxon origins some two thousand years ago to the present day, when english is the dominant language of commerce and. Mccrum looks at three stages of evolution in the english language. A small island in the north atlantic, colonized by rome, then pillaged for hundreds of years by marauding neighbours, becomes the dominant world power in the 19th century. More than a lingua franca, the rapid adoption of decaffeinated english, according to the man who coined the term globish, makes it the worlds most widely spoken language.
How the english language became the worlds language by robert mccrum at. Browse robert mccrum s bestselling audiobooks and newest titles. Book tvs peter slen interviews robert mccrum in london on the state of the publishing industry, the art of evaluating others writings, and the worldwide importance of the english language. How the english language became the worlds language, narrated by james langton is about the history of the english language and its rise as the new lingua franca. The author of six highly acclaimed novels and coauthor of the bestselling the story of english, his latest work is an illuminating look at the life of one of his literary heroes, p. How the english language became the worlds language by. A small island in the north atlantic, colonized by rome, then pillaged for hundreds of years by. Is this revolution a creature of globalization, he asks. How the english language became the worlds language. Robert mccrum audio books, best sellers, author bio. The story of english by robert mccrum, robert macneil. This book is not about globish and only makes two passing references to globish. I personally happen to like reading about history, so i enjoyed this book as a. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read globish.
Packed with nuggets of information about language, culture, history and power, robert mccrum traces the way that the english language as twisted and turned in response to the way the world has changed, and how, even as the british empire is long dead, the language extends its influence further and further in a globalised world. How the english language became the worlds language by robert mccrum and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The limitations of globish can easily fit texting as it is happening now. In this provocative and compelling new work, the coauthor of the bestselling book and television series the story of english shows how english became the lang. Robert mccrum is an associate editor of the observer. Equally unlikely, a colony of that island nation across the atlantic grows into the military and. The english language, in its many forms has become the major language of international commerce, science and the internet.
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