Why do we have so many dialects in England? Why do we not all speak in standard English? How has our history shaped and influenced the language we speak today? In a Manner of Speaking is a fun and fascinating exploration of spoken English that will answer these questions and many more. Following history from the time of the Roman conquest through to the days of the British Empire, chapters explore the beginnings of spoken English, how each invading force brought different sounds to the language, and how the English tongue has evolved over time. This is not a manual on English grammar. It is about how we came to speak our modern English, and why, even in the country of its birth, there are so many variations on the way the language is spoken. Witty, interesting and easy to read, In a Manner of Speaking is also superbly illustrated by renowned cartoonist Barrie Appleby.About the AuthorCharlie Haylock is an historian of spoken English, a dialect specialist, an authority on his native Suffolk and a bestselling author. He has a regular spot on BBC Radio Suffolk, is the creator of weekly cartoons in the ‘East Anglian Daily Times’, and is a popular speaker on the history of spoken English. He was dialect coach for actors including Ralph Fiennes on the Netflix film ‘The Dig’. Barrie Appleby is a renowned and much loved illustrator and cartoonist. He has been the Art Director of a publishing company, as well as a cartoonist with IPC Magazines, Marvel Comics and currently ‘The Beano’ alongside D. C. Thomson. Barrie illustrates books by Charlie Haylock and together they produce weekly cartoons in the ‘East Anglian Daily Times’.Book InformationISBN 9781445663821Author Charlie HaylockFormat PaperbackPage Count 256Imprint Amberley PublishingPublisher Amberley PublishingWeight(grams) 362g