Title: The Adventure of English
Genre: English Language / History
Year: 2003
Pages: 320
Origin: Library book
Nod Rating: 3 nods out of 5
Mr Bragg is a man of industrious action: broadcaster, presenter, interviewer, commentator, novelist and – as shown here – a man who takes his English language very seriously. He is popularly known for his work over three decades with the BBC presenting the South Bank Show; and the book The Adventure of English is an adaptation of a documentary originally shot for the TV screen.
Subtitled ‘The Biography of a Language’, The Adventure of English briefly traverses across one thousand and five hundred years of history of the English language. It encompasses the first Germanic settlers, its seeming eclipse after the invasion of William of Normandy, the come back against the French incursion of words, right through to the glorious victory of the language in its triumphant export around the world. Bragg is in particular good tone when discussing the global reach of English, dedicating chapters on its journey across America, India, the West Indies, Australia and more.
Bragg continues to labour the point that the English language’s chief success has been its flexibility: in linking to existing languages wherever it has invaded. The years from 1066 to 1400 are seen as the dark ages of the language, yet it came through its trials and tribulations – particularly the dominance of French – to become supreme once again. Bragg points to the growing rich tapestry of various wordsmiths – such as Chaucer and Shakespeare – but also dedicates a commendable amount of space to the important contribution of the religious reformers, including Tyndale and others who wished to see the bible translated into the English tongue (seen in the chapter ‘God’s English’).
The author is most interesting when he discusses the remnant words and terms that have survived from previous ages. In writing about the continuing effects of the French language on class division, he comments:
‘You can take an (English) “bit” of cheese and most people do. If you want to use a more elegant word you take a (French) “morsel” of cheese. It is undoubtedly thought to be a better class of word and yet “bit”, I think, might prove to have more stamina. You can “start” a meeting or you can “commence” a meeting. Again, “commence” carries a touch more cultural clout though “start” has the better sound and meaning to it for my ear.’
The theme of class division is further explored in the chapter ‘The Proper Way to Talk’, with Bragg discussing the effect of standardised writing and the attempts of language-snobs – such as the infamous Noah Webster – in their attempts to purify the English language.
Throughout the entirety of the book, Bragg continues to get across the message that language is continually changing: attempts at standardisation will fail due to the fast paced nature of this change. Particularly more so in the digital age, in which new words and terminology are being born on a seemingly weekly basis on the pages of Facebook and Twitter, and within text messages on mobile phones. Bragg attempts to calm the public with his message: that change is inevitable and should be embraced. The Worm himself welcomes such a message, and in recent years has become an opponent against the growing grammar-Nazis on social media sites that are happy to string up people for incorrect use of apostrophes.
Bragg’s The Adventure of English offers nothing more than a welcoming read through the past thousand years of history of the English language. It is short on the spectacular, but it would be mean of the Worm to be too hard on Bragg’s effort and intentions. It is a perfect read to while away a few short hours, with some interesting conversation fodder, whilst trumpeting – however silently – the triumphs of England; in short, the perfect book for middle aged, middle Englanders.
Buy it here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Adventure-English-Melvyn-Bragg/dp/0340829931/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353855540&sr=8-1
