Melvyn bragg subtitles the adventure of english with the intriguing phrase the biography of a language he thus implies that the language specifically english has a life of its own setting himself the task of creating both an adventure and a narrative that will convince the reader that the language has both an identity and to some extent a personality that identifies an individuality. The adventure of english traces the history and evolution of the english language from its first arrival on english shores from old frisia to modern days its premise is that english languages adaptability and ability to absorb words from other languages has made it a truly global language spoken by millions around the globe. English is the collective work of millions of people throughout the ages it is democratic . Here is the riveting story of the english language from its humble beginnings as a regional dialect to its current preeminence as the one global language spoken by more than two billion people worldwide in this groundbreaking book melvyn bragg shows how english conquered the world it is a magnificent adventure full of jealousy intrigue and war against a hoard of invaders all armed