History of English Spelling

Abstract

List of Figures and Tables viii Preface ix Abbreviations and Symbols xi Language Periods Referred to in the Text xiv 1 Introduction and Overview 1 2 England and English from the Romans to the Vikings 14 3 The Old English Roots of Modern English Spelling 33 4 The Decline and Revival of English in the Middle English Period 65 5 The Franco-Latin Element 86 6 Some Sound and Spelling Developments in Middle and Modern English 173 7 The Greek Contribution 194 8 The Exotic Input 228 9 Reformers, Lexicographers and the Parting of the Ways 293 Glossary of Technical Terms 315 Bibliography 320 Language and Dialect Index 324 Word and Word-Element Index 328 General Index 373