《從古代英語到標準英語》是“當代國外語言學與應用語言學文庫”係列叢書之一。本書以曆史文本為基礎，通過對曆史文本的介紹、闡釋和評論，描述英語的演變。 This practical and informative course book is a fascinating, visual volume which leads the student through the development of the language from Old English, through Middle and Early Modern English to the establishment of standard english in the eighteenth century. At the core of this subatantially expanded second edition lies a series of nearly 200 historical texts, of which more than half are reproduced in facsimile. and which illustrate the progressive changes in the language. The book is firmly based upon linguistic description. with commentaries which form a series of case studies demonstrating the evidence for language change at every level-handwriting, spelling, punctuation. vocabulary, grammar and meaning. Such a wealth of texts, as well as the structured activities and the various case studies, allow the ovlune to be used not only as a stimulating course text., guiding students through the analysis of data. but also as a comprehensive resourec book and invaluable reference tool for teachers and students at all levels. Dennis Freeborn was formerly Head of English Language and Linguistics at the University College of Ripon York St John. and Chief examiner in A-level English L anguage. ULEAC. He is now Director of York English Language Studies Associates (YELSA). providing A-level Englihsh language teaching materiabssand in-service courses.