The 'correct' use of English has been the subject of vigorous debate in recent years. But what defines 'correctness' in our use of language? And how has this altered over time? In this authoritative survey of the history of the English language, the author examines how linguistic traditions have changed and developed over the centuries to produce the language that we are familiar with today.Taking present-day usage as its starting point, the book uses a topic-based approach to explore the historical development of vocabulary, grammar, syntax, sounds and spellings, thus providing both a firm sense of the structure of the language and an outline of its history.

The annual Journal of the Early Book Society for the Study of Manuscripts and Printing History is published by Pace University Press. The greater part of each volume is devoted to four or five substantial essays on the history of the book, with emphasis on the period of transmission from manuscript to print. The main focus is on English and continental works produced from 1350 to 1550. In addition, the journal includes brief notes on manuscripts and early printed books, descriptive reviews of recent works in the field, and notes on libraries and collections.