9780199207640

The Fight for English

Format: Hardcover

ISBN13: 9780199207640

Hardcover|9780199207640


Overview

The story of battles--both past and present--surrounding English language usage, The Fight for English explores why millions of people feel linguistically inferior. Unhappy with the "zero tolerance" approach to punctuation offered by Lynn Truss's Eats, Shoots, and Leaves, David Crystal offers a view of the subject that is much more balanced. Instead of answering the claims made by other manuals of English usage, Crystal provides an explanation and analysis of the genre as a whole.

Crystal weaves an intricate and engaging account that traces the history of the English language and its development over time. From Anglo-Saxon to Modern English, Crystal addresses why the same language issues that were bothering people 250 years ago are still bothering people today. This is the story of the fight for English usage--the story of the people who tried to shape the language in their own image, but failed generation after generation. In short, they ate, shot, and left.

The Fight for English brings language to life on the page with a witty and engaging writing style. Broadening the perspective on the English language, this compellingly informative book has something for everyone interested in the topic. Move over Harry Potter. Here comes punctuation.

ISBN-13

9780199207640

ISBN-10

019920764X

Weight

0.86 Pounds

Dimensions

7.77 x 5.57 x 1.00 In

List Price

$45.99

Edition

1st Edition

Format

Hardcover

Language

English

Pages

256 pages

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Published On

2007-02-03



View All Offers

Sort by:

Rows per page:

1–5 of 5

Condition
Seller
Seller Comments
Price
Used, Very Good
Seller details
Half Price Books Inc
★★★★☆

Dallas, TX, USA

Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and ...
$9.52

 Free delivery by: 28 Mar 2026

Used, Very Good
Seller details
Sixth Chamber Inc.
★★★★☆

River Falls, WI, USA

Oxford University Press. Clean Text, No Water Damage, Strong Binding. Unless Listed in this descript...
$12.37

 Free delivery by: 28 Mar 2026

Used, Like New
Seller details
Southampton Sag Harbor Books
★★★★★

Southampton, NY, USA

First Edition, First Printing. Not price-clipped ($19.95 price intact). Published by Oxford, 2006....
$25.49

 Free delivery by: 28 Mar 2026

Used, Good
Seller details
Bonita
★★★★☆

Santa Clarita, CA, USA

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. May be an ex-library book.
$36.87

 Free delivery by: 28 Mar 2026


Bookstores.com relies on cookies to improve your experience.