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johnfowles2
Приєднався 5 тра 2006
The Story Of English An English Speaking World 1986
New York Times Review
THERE is something audacious about ''The Story of English.'' Nine hours of television tracing the birth, growth and dissemination of a language is not everyday fare. Can Robert MacNeil and his colleagues pull this kind of thing off? Judging from the first episode, on Channel 13 at 9 o'clock tonight, they do. The series promises to be rich and rewarding.
The first episode, ''An English Speaking World,'' talks about the language's importance. Some two-fifths of the world's population uses English or one of its varieties as a primary, secondary or tertiary language. Mr. MacNeil, the series host, takes pains here to say the series is not endorsing ''correct'' English, or Queen's, BBC or Oxford English; it is examining the kinds, or varieties, of English.
We hear, for example, Creole English, Silicon Valley English and Valley girl English. These last two, of course, are rooted in California. The state, Mr. MacNeil finds, now exercises a great influence over English. As a Valley girl or a surfer might say (in the California culture, apparently, they are linked), the influence may be ''awesome'' or ''the max.'' It may even be ''totally everything.''
Nonetheless, the most interesting, and amusing, part of the program does deal with correct or BBC English. BBC English began in the British public schools - Harrow, Eton, Winchester, the equivalent of American private schools - in the Victorian era. Public-school English, apparently, separated social classes. Everyone knew where everyone belonged by the way people spoke.
Radio, as heard over the BBC, spread public-school English. In fact, it seemed to sanctify it. Listen carefully to the examples. Americans may note that in BBC English, or Oxford or Queen's English (Mr. MacNeil uses the terms interchangeably), it is hard to lose your temper. The civilized context does not allow it.
Whether this is good or bad is arguable. On the other hand, we are likely to agree with Mr. MacNeil when he says that World War II gave BBC English its ''finest hour.'' Radio announcers and commentators rallied and connected the British people and forces. Indeed, the ability of English to connect the world is the thread running through the program.
Thus ''An English Speaking World'' visits a bauxite mine in western Africa. Mine workers speak six African languages; mine managers speak several European languages. Everyone communicates with everyone else in one of the varieties of English. On an Alitalia jet, an Italian crew speaks to Italian air-traffic controllers in English. In 157 countries, English is used to direct takeoffs and landings.
Moreover, as the program tells us, English is the language of more than half the world's 10,000 newspapers and much of its television programming. This is why, Mr. MacNeil observes, Iranians demonstrate with signs in English. English, he says, is ''the most influential language the world has ever known.'' As a lingua franca, it is awesome and the max.
Does this have cosmic meaning? Will it change the destiny of the world? In tonight's episode, Mr. MacNeil, who co-wrote the series with Robert McCrum - the executive producer is William Cran - doesn't say yes or no. He is cautious, even when dealing with Pentagon English, which he describes as full of ''elephantine circumlocutions.'' The dead or wounded, for instance, are ''inoperative combat personnel.''
And perhaps it is just as well that Mr. MacNeil is cautious. Arguments about the meaning of language, or how language can be used to suspend thought, may go on without end. It is enough to know that Mr. MacNeil and his associates seem beguiled by, and hopeful about, the spread of English.
The series - a co-production of MacNeil-Lehrer Productions and the BBC, in association with WNET -will continue on Monday nights. Tonight's program grows repetitious toward the end. Mr. MacNeil tells us too many times that English is a world language, but it's easy to forgive him for that. ''The Story of English'' looks as if it will be imaginative, provocative and a winner.
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THERE is something audacious about ''The Story of English.'' Nine hours of television tracing the birth, growth and dissemination of a language is not everyday fare. Can Robert MacNeil and his colleagues pull this kind of thing off? Judging from the first episode, on Channel 13 at 9 o'clock tonight, they do. The series promises to be rich and rewarding.
The first episode, ''An English Speaking World,'' talks about the language's importance. Some two-fifths of the world's population uses English or one of its varieties as a primary, secondary or tertiary language. Mr. MacNeil, the series host, takes pains here to say the series is not endorsing ''correct'' English, or Queen's, BBC or Oxford English; it is examining the kinds, or varieties, of English.
We hear, for example, Creole English, Silicon Valley English and Valley girl English. These last two, of course, are rooted in California. The state, Mr. MacNeil finds, now exercises a great influence over English. As a Valley girl or a surfer might say (in the California culture, apparently, they are linked), the influence may be ''awesome'' or ''the max.'' It may even be ''totally everything.''
Nonetheless, the most interesting, and amusing, part of the program does deal with correct or BBC English. BBC English began in the British public schools - Harrow, Eton, Winchester, the equivalent of American private schools - in the Victorian era. Public-school English, apparently, separated social classes. Everyone knew where everyone belonged by the way people spoke.
Radio, as heard over the BBC, spread public-school English. In fact, it seemed to sanctify it. Listen carefully to the examples. Americans may note that in BBC English, or Oxford or Queen's English (Mr. MacNeil uses the terms interchangeably), it is hard to lose your temper. The civilized context does not allow it.
Whether this is good or bad is arguable. On the other hand, we are likely to agree with Mr. MacNeil when he says that World War II gave BBC English its ''finest hour.'' Radio announcers and commentators rallied and connected the British people and forces. Indeed, the ability of English to connect the world is the thread running through the program.
Thus ''An English Speaking World'' visits a bauxite mine in western Africa. Mine workers speak six African languages; mine managers speak several European languages. Everyone communicates with everyone else in one of the varieties of English. On an Alitalia jet, an Italian crew speaks to Italian air-traffic controllers in English. In 157 countries, English is used to direct takeoffs and landings.
Moreover, as the program tells us, English is the language of more than half the world's 10,000 newspapers and much of its television programming. This is why, Mr. MacNeil observes, Iranians demonstrate with signs in English. English, he says, is ''the most influential language the world has ever known.'' As a lingua franca, it is awesome and the max.
Does this have cosmic meaning? Will it change the destiny of the world? In tonight's episode, Mr. MacNeil, who co-wrote the series with Robert McCrum - the executive producer is William Cran - doesn't say yes or no. He is cautious, even when dealing with Pentagon English, which he describes as full of ''elephantine circumlocutions.'' The dead or wounded, for instance, are ''inoperative combat personnel.''
And perhaps it is just as well that Mr. MacNeil is cautious. Arguments about the meaning of language, or how language can be used to suspend thought, may go on without end. It is enough to know that Mr. MacNeil and his associates seem beguiled by, and hopeful about, the spread of English.
The series - a co-production of MacNeil-Lehrer Productions and the BBC, in association with WNET -will continue on Monday nights. Tonight's program grows repetitious toward the end. Mr. MacNeil tells us too many times that English is a world language, but it's easy to forgive him for that. ''The Story of English'' looks as if it will be imaginative, provocative and a winner.
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Superb occasion and duet
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It was 1966 when I first heard this on the radio in Montreal and I have been a Lighthead ever since This recording was a hit in Canada (No 6 in Toronto) but is inexplicably ignored by all of the Lightfoot hits compilations. Accompanying Gordon are Red Shea on Lead guitar and John Stockfish on bass (John left the next year and was replaced by Rick Dutkeiwitz Haynes,(who is still touring with Gor...
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Program five in the series Story of English examines the origins of Black English, beginning with the influx of Africans to the American continent caused by the slave trade. In the American south, Gullah is spoken on the Sea Islands near the South Carolina coast. The old plantations bred a different strain and other regions of the south are equally unique. Footage of pidgin English speakers in ...
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Story of English: Program 6 features a discussion about Canadian English and how it is more heavily British-influenced than American English. The program goes on to examine various theories about American English from the Revolutionary War through the 1920s. A discussion of the influence of German, Spanish, Italian, and Eastern European Jewish immigrants is also included. One segment discusses ...
Garden State Parkway Exit 129
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British Air Travel
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British Air Travel The History And Development Of Passenger Aviation In Britain. Starting at 9:23 is a sequence showing the beautiful Handley Page HP42 Heracles "the worlds first 4 engined airliner"
The Story Of English Program 2 The Mother Tongue Complete
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Program two in the series The Story of English traces the history of the language in terms of successive invasions of the British Isles, from the Anglo-Saxons through the Norman French in 1066. Practical, but necessarily theoretical demonstrations of English at various stages are demonstrated, such as The Lord's Prayer before and after the Norman Conquest of 1066 and the introduction of French ...
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Program eight in the series The Story of English treats the Irish question in terms of its spoken and written word and the long-standing political tensions between Ireland and Great Britain. Irish poet Seamus Heany discusses language and how speakers from Dublin differ from speakers from County Cork. There are some "best of Ireland" scenes and also scenes of IRA prisoners learning to speak Gael...
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Story of English is a nine-part series devoted to studying the history and development of the English language. "Part Nine: Next Year's Words: A Look Into the Future" explores the direction that many language scholars believe the English vernacular is heading. Could the English language suffer the same fate as Latin? Hosted by Robert MacNeil of The MacNeil/Lehrer Newshour.
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Program seven in the series The Story of English explains the root and the reach of Cockney English. Cockney originated in London's East End, the home of many poor, downtrodden people. The English legal system, in an effort to eradicate the "criminal class," transported convicts to Australia during the early 19th century. This video has footage at Spittlefield's market that show examples of Coc...
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Program four in the series Story of English follows the thread of the Gaelic tongue as it is practiced by the Scottish, following the influx of the Scots into Ireland beginning with the reign of James I, and the subsequent influence of Scottish influence on English. This episode of the series contains footage of the Robert Burns Literary and Debating society, including a toast and a rendition o...
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featuring Popeye and The Original Goons Ah shepherd's Pie (Spy) The Genius of Spike Miligna the well known typing error a Prince amongst Goon fans (a proper Charlie) I have two favourite pieces in this, both by Peter Sellers One is the revelation he made about the Boy Scout-master who the producers found and filmed who inspired Peer's iconic and famous "Blue Bottle" character the other is when...
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the jet blast at Princess Juliana airport can be awesome (reuploaded copy of original embed restricted video)
56:20 “The day the gates go up, that day, the language begins to die.” H. L. Mencken
I haven’t heard this great Gord song in a while…
38 years ago I watched this series on PBS, and was captivated. This is the first time I’ve seen it since then. Still a fascinating topic, the English language, even changed so much since 1986!
One of the best shows ever seen on TV.
латыпова, привет
To be in love is to be insane such a nice insanity 😅😅😅
18:14 Hamlet is a French word, hameau. Oh dear, got it wrong from the very start!
I have the 45 rpm disc
is this video available in Spanish?
As both the Magna Carta and the Declaration of Arbroath, the Scots and English Charters were both written in Latin as the origin of the language. Scots is only a different pronunciation and a few extra words as found in other parts of England as well. The English like to own everything, from the Bank of England, formed by a Scotsman to even bacon and eggs as an English breakfast so, the issue is not the language, it's the English need to posses anything they can.
I am astounded that 1986 looks so different and weird in these old films. That rather stings as 1986 is when I was a young adult. Ouch.
What outfits are those ladies wearing??
Rest easy Gordon. ✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️
Hi people watching this for Brit Lit
@44:33 Fredom Fries.
@40:37 When Brooklyn was Brooklyn. Am I right?
Love the song great video by the way. Sure do miss you Gordo
A Legendary Transcendent Songwriter I love dearly💔💜
The best songs he ever wrote were the ones he was trying to get away from, "the sad songs" yet they were the most beautiful of all of his songs and they will endure.
I can picture Neil Diamond covering this epic, transcendent classic; we love you Gordon❤
😭One of my favorite song writers and  performers of all time Gordon Meredith Lightfoot Jr. (November 17, 1938 - May 1, 2023 R. I .P 😭
RIP Gordy!
Great documentary!
I posted this originally in 2006. I'm glad to see my copy reposted by dozens of other youtubers since then. In 2006, nobody remembered this video cassette anymore.
🎉🎉🎉
Wow what a treat to see this video
That's our boy alright.
The lack of humanity by "the" white man is uncanny. Apologies to the real ones. GBTG ✌️😎❤️
To my ear, Scots has an even more melodic sound than English spoken with a Scottish accent.
Please upload episode 3, Muse of Fire. Seems no one on youtube has uploaded a complete copy of this episode.
There is a playlist of smaller uploads, for that episode. ua-cam.com/play/PL31D7E3BEABDDA9AD.html
Thanks a lot for uploading this series of documentary films.
It is a catchy tune and good writing from the great Gordon Lightfoot! You can hear more tunes like this at CKWW AM from Windsor Ontario. Living in the Detroit area for decades has given many around here the opportunity to catch great tunes coming out of Canada. CKWW is the “offspring” of CKLW, “The Big Eight” where you would’ve heard this in the 60’s. There were and still are many outstanding AM and FM outlets here. All online
Funny you should mention CKWW. I heard "Spin Spin" last night on AM580 and had to find it on UA-cam and/or Tidal.
@@JohnStefani Don't you guys mean CKLW?
Is Program 3 uploaded? I seem to be missing it... thanks, Robert
In 2006, I posted the full series. Since then others have corrected some problems with my initial upload. I found this at Mid Continent Library in Independence, Missouri, USA across the street from the Truman Library and recorded it onto my old BlackBerry from the VHS on my television. I know this is from that download by where the cassette pops and makes odd noises.
Yeah, same here.
I'm just gonna stay quiet on this one.............awe hell! It was kind'a like listening to William Shatner singing Rocket Man. They may not sound in their prime but there were two musical geniuses on stage together!
Gordon wanted it to be more uptempo, but Kris was going very slowly. I am sure they did not practice, just one invited the other onstage for this number. I can excuse their off sound for who they are and what they have already contributed. Great to just see legends like this!!
I listen tothese fucktards and i won't do what they ask.
Where has english derived from?
From a part of the Netherlands known as the Frisian Islands where there was a tribe known as the Angles. From there came the word Anglo-Saxon
Ir-Ur-land.
I thought I had heard all of Lightfoot's songs, but I didn't remember this one. Thanks for posting! His twelve string is capoed at 2 and he is playing the D-shape chords, which would put the tune in key of E. It is in E, so it is apparent that the guitar is tuned at standard pitch. It does however, appear to be lip synced for the sake of the tv show, as others have noted.
It's not lip synced, but is out of sync with the video unfortunately.
Am I going crazy or do I hear him say 'Engrish'/'Engersh' a few times? Some sort of recording error possibly?
Where can I find 3?
Before Rick Haynes joined
ℹ️ love HItomi Isikawa‼︎
Good god why was I assigned this for a lecture
Dude it's probably the most interesting tv show I've ever watched, how could you find it boring
It’s incredible, just give it time to sink in.
I like !!
I wish everyone in America would watch this to better understand the history and importance of black speech and culture. The rest of the series is great, too.
Long live Gordon Lightfoot...
A song can not get better than this. Great rhythm, great melody, musical singing, a poem that well describes youthful passion, and the actual poet who experienced it.
heeeeey battenburg squad
Is that Ian Tyson, as emcee ?
He leaned Anglo-Saxon and Viking to understand dusty texts. I learned Brazilian Portuguese and Brazilian Italian to pick up women. We're both driven by heads but they weren't the same body parts LOL
Vikings were such trash. Why do so many modern people idolize and rever them?