Who first spoke English? Did it always sound the way it does today? How did it become the most popular language in the world? This book traces the journey of our language from its origins with the various peoples who invaded England to its present status as the international language of science and business, with more than a billion speakers. The evolution of the English language and the story of its spread throughout the world are described in concise, easy-to-read text, filled with lively examples, and accompanied by meticulously rendered illustrations and maps. Includes a Bibliography and an index.