"The Story of English: Next Year's Words" with Robert MacNeil

In this concluding episode of Robert MacNeill's history of the English language, he reviews the "local energies" driving changes in the language throughout the British Commonwealth and beyond.

"The Story of English: The Loaded Weapon" with Robert MacNeil

In episode 8 of his history of the English language, Robert MacNeil explores the influence of Irish Gaelic on the language and Ireland's political and cultural differences with England.

"The Story of English: Pioneers, O Pioneers!" with Robert MacNeil

This sixth episode of Robert NacNeil's history of the English language traces the evolution of American English from the Revolutionary War through the 1920s, and the contribution of slang terms from segments of the population, along with the influence of 1900s immigrants.

"The Story of English: Black on White" with Robert MacNeil

This fifth episode of Robert MacNeil's story of the English language probes the roots of Black English, including the American slave trade, plantation life, the Creole influence, and Harlem's jive talk. There is a special focus on the influence of the Sea Islands of Georgia and South Carolina. Earlier episodes may be found in the archives for January, to the right.

"The Story of English: The Guid Scots Tongue" with Robert MacNeil

Continuing Robert MacNeil's fascinating examination of the history of the English language, this fourth episode traces the influence of Scottish and Irish Gaelic on the language and the influence of the Scots-Irish in North America, especially the English spoken in the Appalachian region of the United States.

"The Story of English: A Muse of Fire" with Robert MacNeil

This third episode of Robert MacNeil's history of the English language considers the enormous influence of Shakespeare, the "great genius" of the language, as well as that of the King James translation of the Bible. It also examines how the language was brought to the new world by the Elizabethans.

"The Story of English: An English-Speaking World" with Robert MacNeil

This 1986 documentary chronicles the history of the English language and its "extraordinary journey from an obscure Germanic tribe to the edge of the universe." Presented by the erudite Robert MacNeil, the series spans a millennium and travels to 16 countries and across 5 continents to tell this fascinating story. We will post subsequent episodes over the next eight Saturdays.