Seth Lerers Inventing English: a Portable History of the Language - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages The appendices and glossary of the book create a picture of the book's contents for the readers. The book also contains citations that tag along translations of the same. In short, the technical aspect of the book highlights the themes the author aims at displaying. Apart from this work, Lerer has worked on many other works including articles and recordings of the development of the English language.

The major theme of the book is to trace the development of language as a result of the influence of historical backgrounds and occurrences. In his work, he draws attention to the key moments that led to the development of language. The first stage according to Lerer (pp.56) is the Caedmon era of the 7th Century; he wraps up his language on Christian concepts that shaped the daily living of individuals. These chronicles documented major events that unfold in day-to-day living ranging from the normal conversations in the localities to language in courts.

In his work, Lerer (pp.4) indicates, various forms of language came up including Language that was applicable in the courts. From his argument, it is justified to argue that Lerer (pp.5) indicates that language has had a series of developments till the novel language. Among the quotations include ‘ban’, ‘ham’, and ‘twa’ which Lerer quotes to have evolved to bone, home, and two respectively. All cultures and people have played a major role in the development of language at all levels of society. However, he indicates that language development has greatly been influenced by know-how, globalization, war as well as politics. Through the above techniques, people have endeavored to communicate with one another, in turn, creating and developing language in societies.

Lerer (pp.28) argues in his work that language is beautiful and will always develop despite the situations or occurrences in society. By language not being static, he praises the fact that even in times of appalling situations, language has never become futile. It is in light of this argument that language has experienced changes that keep unfolding as each day progresses. He indicates that at times when the human race experienced its worse times and phases, neither did language diminish nor disappear, but kept flourishing alongside events in society.

Lerer (pp.91) advises individuals not to despond whilst reading the English language. Though at times, the language may prove difficult to read and comprehend, readers of works must take the initiative of acquiring the best information from a certain material. He indicates that his work must not be viewed as a complex structure, but as a mere conversation with the person who read his work. This is possible through his simple and understandable writing style and short and comprehensive chapters that display a clear transition from the earlier centuries to the present life. Throughout the book, one is bound to have a compulsion for the work though the themes are not quite interrelated in all chapters but are dissimilar essays.

This work brings to light the meagerness of studying the English language. Lerer (pp.41) in turn, offers readers an opportunity to read and understand the language through explanations of the history and development of the language. He brings out propinquity on the changes that took place in the English language and that even the vaguest information on the language may be beneficial to learning and understanding the English language.

‘Inventing English: a Portable History of the Language’ basically examines all aspects of the English language and slots them into the history of the Americans. This, he attributes to the contributions of the past to the development of the modern English language. From the tour from the seventh century to the early twentieth century, Lerer takes his readers through the changes in the English language in terms of spelling, use of vernacular, and influence on classes and gender in society. In some instances, in his work, Lerer acknowledges the contribution of various writers and scribes in the development of the English language.

The book also highlights the impacts of foreign languages, the use of the internet, and electronic mail in the shaping of English as a language. In short, Lerer indicates that with each day and event, language enjoys a new phase of invention. Whether a language has been preserved or not, it is changing with the new inventions, the major thing is that English is not static. The author must, however, incorporate his prediction of the future of the English language and the reasons behind his facts. ...Download file to see next pages Read More