First published in 1939, this book provides a brief but comprehensive view of language in general, and of English and American language in particular. It is suitable for beginners and those who wish to learn about the basics of linguistics.

Eric Partridge

Preface; Part 1 1. Families of Languages 2. The English Language 3. The American Language Part 2 4. How Words Begin 5. Why Words Get New Meanings and Why Languages Change 6. Why Some Words Live, Some Die: Fashions in Words Part 3 7. English: Good; Bad; and Worse Part 4 8. What Grammar is-and Why Part 5 9. The Fun of Word History; Appendix: Phonetic Symbols; Index