A Companion to the History of the English Language addresses the linguistic, cultural, social, and literary approaches to language study. The first text to offer a complete survey of the field, this volume provides the most up-to-date insights of leading international scholars.

An accessible reference to the history of the English language

Comprises more than sixty essays written by leading international scholars

Aids literature students in incorporating language study into their work

Includes an historical survey of the English language, from its Germanic and Indo- European beginnings to modern British and American English

Enriched with maps, diagrams, and illustrations from historical publications

Introduces the latest scholarship in the field