This course is an enquiry into the origins, development, and spread of the English language. It looks at the major periods of English development namely Old English, Middle English and Modern English. Major topics to be examined will include source and nature of English vocabulary, discrepancy between spelling and pronunciation, the spread of English to the world, varieties of English in the world: British, American, Canadian, West African, Australian and New Zealand. Other topics will include English as an international language, English as a global language, the future of English and Standard English.