This volume deals with the history of the English language from 1776 to 1997.
Suzanne Romaine's extensive introduction details the changing socio-historical
setting in which English has developed in response to a continuing background of
diversity as it was transplanted to North America and beyond. Separate chapters
on phonology by Michael K. C. MacMahon, syntax by David Denison, and vocabulary
by John Algeo chronicle the linguistic features of the language during this period,
taking as the basis for discussion the common core inherited from the sixteenth century
and shared by what are now the two principal varieties, American and British English.
In addition, there are chapters on English as a literary language by Sylvia Adamson,
English grammar and usage by Edward Finegan, and onomastics by Richard Coates.
