Customer Reviews

The Story of English, Programs 1-9 [VHS]

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This series treats English seriously and intelligently. It regards English (in all of its forms) as flowers. All different but beautiful. Wonderful historical and cultural info too. I have used this with 6th graders and high school students(grades 9 to 12). Regardless of level there is something for everyone.
The Irish and Scottish sections are first rate.( Did you know that Jimi Hendrix was Irish? Cool. ) I learned more about British English than I thought possible. Shakespeare and Joyce and Mark Twain are treated royally. The section that presents info on the powerful contributions of African-Americans throughout history is superb. Nothing is left out. Etymologies abound!
Run...don't walk to snare this series. I have watched this perhaps 50 times (with and w/o students) since its debut on PBS and know how valuable this tool is for a teacher of English.

ps A very unique feature is that they go to the workplace to hear each variety of English speaker. The common man tells his story and you learn "how" he tells the story. The sub-titles are used to help us make sense of the dialect and "slanguage" as it exists. It is a living oral-biography of the language and the people. This is a loving tribute from start to finish.

pps Don't listen to that mook from the not-so great white north.
He knows not of what he speaks.

I have been using these films for ten years in my linguistics and hisotry of English courses. The information is absolutely invaluable. The portion called, "The Loaded Weapon" concerns the relationship between Irish and English in the Irish Republic. Even though it is somewhat dated, the episode contains wonderful Joycean materials read and performed by David Norris of Dublin and the James Joyce Center. Not to be missed!

The McNeil tapes are an invaluable tool in the teaching of high school English. I have used the tapes in several segments of my American Literature class to introduce topics which are difficult to otherwise grasp. For a unit on etymology, the series forms an excellent discussion of the roots of English and how language changes over time and through political, social and cultural influences. The "Black on White" segment provides a scholarly discussion of black English and allows the speakers of Gullah and Plantation Creole to demonstrate the roots of vernacular black English. That discussion of dialect is a wonderful introduction to Zora Neale Hurston's, Their Eyes Were Watching God, much of which is written in turn of the century Floridian dialect. These films are an investment well worth making.

The opening begins with an Alitalia flight seeking landing instructions for Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Rome. Narrator, Robert MacNeil tells us the Italian pilot and the Italian air traffic controller are speaking in English, so influential is the English language. The music begins and you know you are viewing the equivalent of a surprise "gourmet" meal on an empty stomach, except this diet is for the mind and soul.

I eagerly anticipated learning the roots of my language with each weekly episode learning that the resilience of English lay in its adoption of new words from Shakespeare, Latin, Greek, Spanish, French, Dutch, Africa, Yiddish, German, Japanese, Chinese, the Bible, riverboat gamblers, railroad men, and American Indians, words and phrases that the average English speaker is unaware that its origin is an adoption or corruption from another place and another time. The assimilation of words from other languages has been the strength that has made English endure and become the language of diplomacy.

So, you decide. You may not wish to buy this because you want to "pass the buck," because you have a "one-track mind," because it is "all Greek" to you, because you're "on the warpath," or because you "slept not a wink." "It's not for "four flushers," those who "deal from the bottom of the deck," or for those just out of "kindergarten." Maybe you will change your mind, be a real "honcho" by "burying the hatchet," and "lasso" or "tote" a copy for your very own whether you live in New Hampshire, New Mexico or New York, unless you have "an axe to grind."

Is this worth the price? "And how!" I am absolutely "gung-ho" about this series.

It is a "gourmet" meal of entertainment. C'est la vie!

We have watched most of this series in my History of the English Language class, a master's level class. While it is a bit dated, it is still good material. It deals with the evolution of English from the earlier Germanic languages, offshoots of English (American, Australian, Scots, etc.), English as an international language, and modern (as of early 80's) development in English.

Another gem in the rich ocean of PBS-produced series. I recently watched this again for the first time in many years (took it out of my public library, a wonderful source for educational videos), and yes, as it was made in 1986, the "current" and future of English seem dated, but the history is extraordinary. It is a fascinating study of what I consider to be the most interesting language on the planet. BUT... it's another example of the best being saved for last: why isn't this available on DVD? Please, please, please, Homevision/PBS/BBC or whoever--- this series is worth the investment. English on DVD now!

This is one of the most interesting, thought provoking, and fascinating programs that I have seen in many, many years.
I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the development of the English language, and its many influences, that we Americans often fail to recognize or appreciate.

I was recently reminded of seeing this series when it was on PBS... and I've got to say it was impressive. I was hoping it had been released on DVD, but since it hasn't I'll probably buy the VHS tapes. I'm not a teacher or professional linguist, but I found this miniseries to be really good. Its not only fascinatingly educational, but also entertaining. Just because most of the other reviews mention using it in class doesn't mean its not something worth watching at home for your own edutainment!

A month or two ago, my AP English teacher played us one of the videos to this series. Considering the content and the fact that this is a somewhat old documentary, I had very low expectations...oh my god was I wrong. I have NEVER been so entertained by a documentary! There were all of these sayings and terms that I had completely forgotten about (or perhaps never heard) and it was so hilarious seeing the old fashions and technology. It was like opening a time capsule. The watcher can get a completely untainted opinion regarding all aspects of the culture of the late 80's / early 90's.

Fascinating and fun. I found the partner book in a used book store, and it, too, is excellent. Even though the program is not au courant, it's a terrific educator for everyone, little and big. But, jeez, where's the DVD?