The Modern Scholar

A History of the English Language

By: Prof. Michael Drout

Narrated by: Prof. Michael Drout

Length: 8 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

Professor Drout addresses the foundation of language and its connection to specific portions of the brain. The components of language are explained in easy-to-understand terms and the progression of the language from Germanic to Old, Middle, and Modern English is fully illustrated - including such revolutionary language upheavals as those brought about by the Norman Conquest and the Great Vowel Shift.

One of the most interesting aspects of the English language lies in its variants, such as the "soda" vs. "pop" debate and the place of African-American English in modern culture. These and other dialectual curiosities are looked at in detail and placed in the context of today's world. Finally, Professor Drout examines the future, not only of the English language, but of all the world's languages.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2006 Michael Drout (P)2006 Recorded Books

a terrific beginning for English and all language

a terrific beginning for English and all language ! I yearn to learn more from Mike's stimulating study

A great set of lecture

The first few lectures on phonelogy basics can be fairly boring, but this is one of the few Modern Scholar courses that become progressively more interesting as each lecture goes by. I learned a great deal and I am sure I'd revisit it time and again.

Just when ya thought you knew English...

Great book in the history of English! I was one of "those" people practicing the vocal exercises in my car on a road trip :)
Great way to understand just a little more on our language as it is, how it was, and perhaps as it will be.

Really should be called intro to Linguistics

This course has aged well (produced in 2006) and, in my opinion, remains one of Drout's best.

A Book Best Listened

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

What a fascinating story of the development of language. To hear it read added immensely to my enjoyment. Why does English have so many silent 'e's? Why are there silent 'k's before 'en's?

What did you like best about this story?

It explained the language I call my own and gave me an appreciation--or greater appreciation--about the connectivity of humankind.

Which scene was your favorite?

Attila the Hun. Who knew he was just a big papabear?

new favourite non-fiction author

I enjoyed it. But then, I'm a sucker for language. Especially when well delivered.
Cape Town
South Africa

Actually 3 hrs on Linguistics before any English

This was another interesting subject, but I found this course to be lacking overall... Perhaps it is partly because I expected a full course on the origins and evolution of English - in fact what it is is half a course on introductory linguistics and the history of language in general, and then half of a course on English more specifically. Being familiar as I am with linguistics (my undergraduate minor), the first six lectures was much like getting my several semesters of ling summed up in a 3 hour survey course. And thus I was disappointed also that there was not as much time spent on English, and it felt cursory much of the time.

I think he might have found a way to work the course without the extended primer on linguistics, but he built on the basics and used them to give better explanations on the development and evolution of language (which are not just applicable to English).

What I did like was when he took the time to give examples of text from Gothic, Old English, and Chaucer's English. It helped demonstrate the developments and alterations being discussed, and gave a point of reference for comparison (since, most of us don't encounter untranslated Old English and Medieval texts on a regular basis, after all). It was a good series, and Drout is a good lecturer (whose course on the Anglo-Saxon world I enjoyed), it just wasn't what I had expected or hoped for.

But for someone new to the topics, and not requiring as much in depth discussion, this is a great introduction with a variety of interesting highlights. (I find professor McWhorter's Great Courses series and published works more in my line and depth of interest.)

Drout excellence

Any additional comments?

Drout is great as always in explaining how the English language has evolved to become the international of today. He is a terrific speaker.

Great history

Loved it. Lots of great info. Hope you enjoy. Don't get worried about the technical sounds he talks about in the beginning. It helps you understand things in the end.

Hits all the right marks

I taught a similar course and we actually used the same program - phonetics, history, and then discussions about present day English. I found some of the discussion about code switching appealing (politically) but not always convincing. Drout prefaced the section by saying that many linguists don't agree and I appreciated that honesty. I found the explanations of the Great Vowel Shift and Norman Conquest particularly interesting. More than anything, the lectures were compelling, conversational in tone, and interesting -- this is not your typical boring history class! Great intro course for students and anyone interested in our fascinating language!