The English Language
The English Language is a scholarly survey by Robert Gordon Latham, physician, ethnologist and professor of English at University College London, first published in 1841 and here in a revised and greatly enlarged edition. Latham places English among the Germanic languages, comparing it with Icelandic, Swedish, Danish, Dutch, Frisian and Gothic through specimens and tables, and traces the history of its vocabulary from its Anglo-Saxon base through the Norman, Latin and Greek elements. Later parts treat sounds and spelling, grammar and inflection, word formation and syntax, and the dialects. The book belongs to the early period of comparative philology and shows its methods at work on English. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The English Language
The English Language by R. G. Latham can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The English Language online?
Yes. The English Language opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The English Language free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The English Language is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The English Language in the public domain?
Yes. The English Language by R. G. Latham is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The English Language?
About 12 h 37 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The English Language?
The English Language by R. G. Latham is filed under "History" in the Vinteuil library.
