Inventing English : a portable history of the language

Presents a history of the English language, beginning with the Old English of the seventh century, through the Great Vowel Shift between the time of Chaucer and Shakespeare, and the later full emergence of modern English.
Abstract: Presents a history of the English language from the age of Beowulf to the rap of Eminem. The author describes the differences between English and American usage and, the link between regional dialect and race, class, and gender. He discusses contact with foreign languages, the Internet, and e-mail continue to shape English for future generations.