How English Became English

A Book at Lunchtime discussion looking at the English language and
how it is developing with Simon Horobin, Faramerz Dabhoiwala,
Martin Wynne, Philip Durkin and Susie Dent. The English Language is
spoken by more than a billion people throughout the world. But
where did English come from? And how has it evolved into the
language used today? Simon Horobin (Professor of English Language
and Literature, University of Oxford) explores these questions with
Faramerz Dabhoiwala (Associate Professor of Modern History,
University of Oxford), Martin Wynne (Digital Methods Specialist,
Oxford e-Research Centre, University of Oxford) and Philip Durkin
(Deputy Chief Editor, Oxford English Dictionary) in a discussion
centered around his new book 'How English Became English'. The
discussion is chaired by Susie Dent (English lexicographer and
etymologist. Host of Countdown's "Dictionary Corner") and touches
on topics as wide-ranging as cultural imperialism, snobbery, bullet
points, Shakespeare, toilet brushes and alphabetti spaghetti.