Why do we have so many dialects in England? Why do we not all speak in standard English? How has our history shaped and influenced the language we speak today? In a Manner of Speaking is a fun and fascinating exploration of spoken English that will answer these questions and many more. Following history from the time of the Roman conquest through to the days of the British Empire, chapters explore the beginnings of spoken English, how each invading force brought different sounds to the language, and how the English tongue has evolved over time. This is not a manual on English grammar. It is about how we came to speak our modern English, and why, even in the country of its birth, there are so many variations on the way the language is spoken. Witty, interesting and easy to read, In a Manner of Speaking is also superbly illustrated by renowned cartoonist Barrie Appleby.