The standardisation of English spelling that resulted from the advent of printing is one of the most fascinating aspects of the history of English. This pioneer

This path-breaking study of the standardisation of English goes well beyond the traditional prescriptivism versus descriptivism debate. It argues that the way n

This path-breaking study of the standardisation of English goes well beyond the traditional prescriptivism versus descriptivism debate. It argues that the way n

With a particular focus on the Early Modern English period, this book explores the standardisation of English spelling.

Language scholars have traditionally agreed that the development of the English language was largely unplanned. John H. Fisher challenges this view, demonstrati