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 through from the Roman conquest to the British Empire, the 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 book on English grammar. It is about the evolution of how we speak English, and why, even in the country of its birth, there are so many variations on the way the language is spoken. Funny, interesting and easy to read, ‘In a Manner of Speaking’ is also superbly illustrated by renowned cartoonist, Barrie Appleby.