Think on my Words: Exploring Shakespeare's Language / Edition 1

by David Crystal

Overview

For decades, people have been studying Shakespeare's life and times, and in recent years there has been a renewed surge of interest in aspects of his language. So how can we better understand Shakespeare? David Crystal provides a lively and original introduction to Shakespeare's language, making his plays easily accessible to modern-day audiences. Covering the five main dimensions of language structure – writing system, pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary and conversational style – this book demonstrates how examining these linguistic 'nuts and bolts' can help us achieve a greater appreciation of Shakespeare's linguistic creativity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781107617681
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	03/29/2012
Series:	Canto Classics
Pages:	266
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.70(d)

Table of Contents

1. 'You speak a language that I understand not': myths and realities; 2. 'Now, sir, what is your text?': knowing the sources; 3. 'In print I found it': Shakespearean graphology; 4. 'Know my stops': Shakespearean punctuation; 5. 'Speak the speech': Shakespearean phonology; 6. 'Trippingly upon the tongue': Shakespearean pronunciation; 7. 'Think on my words': Shakespearean vocabulary; 8. 'Talk of a noun and a verb': Shakespearean grammar; 9. 'Hear sweet discourse': Shakespearean conversation; Epilogue: 'your daring tongue': Shakespearean creativity; Appendix: an A-to-Z of Shakespeare's false friends.

Editorial Reviews

'Here is a linguist [David Crystal] who knows not only how words work but how they work in theatre. Anyone who cares for Shakespeare will be informed and entertained by this intriguing and wide-ranging study.' Stanley Wells

From the Publisher