ENGLISH

Broken English: Dialects and the Politics of Language in Renaissance Writings (Routledge Politics of Language Series)

Book information

Year
1996
ISBN
9780415137799, 0415137799, 0203437357, 9780203437353
LCC
PE1081 .B57 1996
Open Library ID
OL814865M
Language
english
Format
PDF
Filesize
3 MB (3602412 bytes)
Edition
1
Pages
224\220
Time added
2011-06-04 13:46:07

Description

The English language in the Renaissance was in many ways a collection of competing Englishes. Paula Blank investigates the representation of alternative vernaculars - the dialects of early modern English - in both linguistic and literary works of the period. Blank argues that Renaissance authors such as Spenser, Shakespeare and Jonson helped to construct the idea of a national language, variously known as 'true' English or 'pure' English or the 'King's English', by distinguishing its dialects - and sometimes by creating those dialects themselves. Broken English reveals how the Renaissance 'invention' of dialect forged modern alliances of language and cultural authority. This book will be of interest to scholars and students of Renaissance studies and Renaissance English literature. It will also make fascinating reading for anyone with an interest in the history of English language.

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