`Penhallurick effortlessly weaves anecdotes and examples from popular culture, philosophy, psychology and literature into his discussion of the English language and language in general [....]. An engaging and enjoyable read for bright first-year students who need a broad overview of the insights linguistics can offer'---Heather Murray, Department of Applied Linguistics, University of Bern<BR><BR>`The first edition was an excellent volume. Now, in this extensive second edition, Penhallurick engages with the full field of studying English language and linguistics, offering guidance on a range of complex material while never losing sight of the everyday experience of language, its history and its fascination'---Martin Coyle, Cardiff University<BR><BR>How did English become a global language? What exactly is Standard English? What do slips of the tongue reveal about language?<BR><BR>Studying the English Language answers these questions and many more. Organised into eighteen thematic chapters, each of which can be read at one sitting, this is a clear and lively introduction to the diversity and history of English, and to relevant contemporary and classic work in linguistics. Thoroughly updated and revised, this second edition contains three new chapters, on the story of American English, the spread of English across the world and the work of Noam Chomsky. Wide ranging and easy to use, other topics include the effects of dialect and accent on identity, swearing and offensive names in English, language and gender, language planning and theories about the origin of language.<BR><BR>Full of entertaining examples, illustrations and useful guides to further reading, this is the ideal companion for all those new to the study of the English language, and essential reading for anyone with a general interest in the subject.