Think on my Words
Exploring Shakespeare's Language

David Crystal provides a lively and original introduction to Shakespeare's language, making his plays easily accessible to modern-day audiences.

David Crystal (Author)

9781107617681, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 29 March 2012

266 pages, 4 b/w illus. 2 tables
21.5 x 13.9 x 1.4 cm, 0.4 kg

'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

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.

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.

Subject Areas: Shakespeare studies & criticism [DSGS], Language: history & general works [CBX]