Parts of Speech: Essays on English

A seasoned professor brings together a decade’s worth of essays that examine English not as a sterile system but as the shared property of its speakers. By looking back to King Alfred’s early translations, he shows how literature gave the language a sense of self‑hood, binding generations together. The voice is literary rather than technical, inviting listeners to feel the pulse of a tongue that lives and grows with its people.

The collection turns to everyday concerns—spelling reform, the rise of Americanisms, the absorption of foreign words, the role of slang, and the quirks of place‑name poetry. Each piece offers clear examples and lively commentary, encouraging the audience to notice how usage shifts and why simplicity can enhance efficiency without forcing radical change. It’s a thoughtful, accessible tour of English that rewards anyone curious about the words they speak.