We will see how the huge vocabulary of English comes from sources as distant as the language of the Aztecs, Japan, and Tartar. We will look at how foreign words were shoehorned to fit English sounds, how mistakes make new words, and how words convey more than just definitions.

Who is this course for?

Anyone interested in finding out about the history of English words. No previous knowledge of the subject is necessary.

Will I need any equipment or materials?

This course will be held via Zoom. You need a computer/laptop or mobile phone to access the Zoom website, and a reliable internet connection. For further information on how to join a Zoom meeting, you can watch the joining video here.

You will need a computer or other device to connect with Zoom and a notebook/paper and pen/pencil, or digital equivalent.

Are there follow-on courses I can take?

We are running several courses around the history of language:

• The History of the English Language
• The Language of Sport
• The Language of the First World War
• The London Voice.