Problems in the origins and development of the English language

Facts, Assumptions, And Misconceptions About Language -- The Sounds And Spelling Of Current English -- Letters And Sounds: A Brief History Of Writing -- The Backgrounds Of English -- The Old English Period (449-1100) -- The Middle English Period (1100-1500) -- The Modern English Period To 1800: Sounds And Spellings -- The Modern English Period To 1800: Forms And Syntax -- Recent British And American English -- New Words From Old: Coinages And Adaptations -- Foreign Elements In The English Word Stock -- Words And Meanings. Designed To Accompany Thomas Pyles's The Origins And Development Of The English Language.