Andersson deals with the chapter on analogues, john m. Seth lerer s inventing english is a masterful, engaging history of the english language from the age of beowulf to the rap of eminem. Many have written about the evolution of our grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary, but only lerer situates these developments in the larger history of. Seth lerer is a professor of humanities, english, and comparative literature. This edition features a new chapter on the influence of biblical translation and an epilogue on the. Literacy and power in anglosaxon literature is the first book length study to consider the construction of an early english cultural mythology of writing. Beowulf is an old english epic poem consisting of 3,182 alliterative lines. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read inventing english.
Toronto, 2008, updating the edition by friedrich klaeber, beowulf and the fight at finnsburg, 3rd ed. Another good text, more readable than klaebers in many ways, is beowulf. A portable history of the language, revised and expanded edition, edition 2 ebook written by seth lerer. Lerer s comprehensive knowledge of ancient and medieval literature serves him well, for he has a singular understanding of how vernacular literature originated and informed literature for children and adults and how childrens literature informed the. He offers this verbatum book, a literal account of his 3part, 18cd course as part of the great courses series put out by the teaching company. Seth lerer born 1955 is an american scholar who specializes in historical analyses of the english language, in addition to critical analyses of the works of several authors, particularly geoffrey chaucer. From his exploration of the old english oration of beowulf to the inventiveness of william shakespeare and the creativity of. Thats how edmund gosse opened father and son, the classic 1907 book about his relationship with his father. The book also won the 2009 national book critics circle award. Literacy and power in anglosaxon literature regents studies in medieval culture lerer, seth isbn.
Each chapter is written by an expert in the relevant field, thus theodore m. Beowulf is an old english epic poem written anonymously around 975 ad. Seth lerer s inventing english is an engaging but ultimately frustrating history of the english language, told in short, chronological chapters with themes like ancient origins, spelling change, and modern africanamerican dialect. Seth lerer s prosperos son is, as fits our latter days, altogether more complicated, layered, and multivalent, but at its heart is that same problem. A critical casebook west virginia university press, jan. Nprs new kids fiction column by juanita giles, founder of the virginia childrens book festival kicks off with an explanation of why the. Buy literacy and power in anglosaxon literature regents studies in medieval culture series by professor seth lerer isbn. Professor lerer won the 2010 truman capote award for literary criticism in memory of newton arvin for his book childrens literature. Inventing english a portable history of the language book. The chapter on mark twain is worth the price of admission alone, with an extensive history of the word dude. A stunningly illustrated book and beautifully told story. Many have written about the evolution of our grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary, but only lerer situates these developments in the larger history of english, america, and literature.
The history of the english language parts, 2nd edition seth lerer, the teaching company on. Buy beowulf by michael morpurgo, michael foreman, michael foreman isbn. A faithful rendering that is simultaneously an original and gripping poem in its own right. Read download the literature of the anglo saxons pdf pdf. Literacy and power in anglosaxon literature regents. Complete beowulf old english text, translations and. A unique blend of historical and personal narrative, inventing english is the surprising tale of a language that is as dynamic as the people to whom it belongs. A verse translation penguin classics anonymous, alexander, michael on. At the close of the ninth century alfred the great lamented the decay of teaming in england and proposed a program of official translations and scholarly study to set his country back on the path of intellectual inquiry.
Seth lerer s inventing english is a history of the english language from the age of beowulf to the rap of eminem. A readers history from aesop to harry potter is unique in its method, depth, and breadth. This readers guide provides a muchneeded overview of the large body of beowulf criticism, moving from eighteenthcentury reactions to twentyfirstcentury responses. Seth lerer tells a masterful history of the english language from the age of beowulf to the rap of eminem. Many have written about the evolution of grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary, but only lerer situates these developments within the larger history of english, america, and literature. During this time you will not be able to place new holds on physical materials. If you have holds on the shelf, they will be held until we reopen. A portable history of the language, revised and expanded edition, edition 2. Heres where youll find analysis about the book as a whole, from the major themes. Beowulf channels the book of genesis, the book of exodus, and the book of. Literacy and power in anglosaxon literature seth lerer. Of unknown authorship, beowulf is an old english epic poem which incites contentious debate and has been endlessly interpreted over the centuries. The history of the english language parts, 2nd edition.
His teaching and research address medieval and renaissance literature, the history of the english language, childrens literature, and the history of the book. The book gives a summary and history of all aspects of beowulf studies, ranging from language, the manuscript, analogues, digressions, structure and much more. In his preface to pope gregorys pastoral care, alfred equated a knowledge. Seth lerer, hrothgars hilt and the reader in beowulf, in literacy and power. In conclusion, lerer wonders whether globalization and technology have turned english into a world language and reflects on what has been preserved and what has been lost.
Literacy and power in anglosaxon literature by seth lerer. Professor seth lerer 1956 is a contemporary professor of english and comparative literature at stanford university, specialising in historical analyses of the english language, in addition to critical analyses of the works of several authors, including in particular geoffrey chaucer. This book is the record of a struggle between two temperaments, two consciousnesses and almost two epochs. He is a distinguished professor of literature at the university of california, san diego, where he served as the dean of arts and humanities from 2009 to 2014. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Inventing english king county library system overdrive. Lerer s philological and historical explication of the texts provides new approaches for assessing representations of reading and writing in preconquest literature. Read download literacy and power in anglo saxon literature. Liverpool university press is the uks third oldest university press, with a distinguished history of publishing exceptional research since 1899 the most revered work composed in old english, beowulf is a landmark of european literature. Complete beowulf old english text, translations and dual text delphi.
The cover leaps from the coffee table as everyone reaches to look into the world of beowulf. Lerer, a stanford professor who has produced audio lectures on the english language as well as a considerable backlog of scholarship, has created a highly readable book that goes back to the very origins of the languageits sounds, rhythms, organization, meanings and looksin postroman britain and then follows its very organic, human trail. In his book seth lerer analyzes the history of the english language. Literature to 1900 beowulf macmillan higher education. This handbook supplies a wealth of insights into all major aspects of this wondrous poem and its scholarly tradition and offers both a rapid survey of. Seth lerer joined the literature department in january 2009 as distinguished professor and as dean of arts and humanities. A portable history of the language, revised and expanded edition ebook. Verse translation penguin classics rev ed by michael alexander isbn. All wcpl locations are closed through april 30, 2020.
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