The History of English Podcast Podcast By Kevin Stroud cover art

The History of English Podcast

The History of English Podcast

By: Kevin Stroud
Listen for free

About this listen

 The Spoken History of a Global Language World
Episodes
  • Episode 183: The Fabric of Our Lives

    Episode 183: The Fabric of Our Lives
    May 13 2025
    In the early 1600s, cotton fabrics made in India were in high demand throughout Asia and Africa. When the English and Dutch arrived in India and Japan, they realized how popular the fabric was, and they soon began to ship it back to northern Europe. In this episode, we explore how the 'cotton craze' of the 1600s shaped the modern world, and shaped the English language. We also examine the end of the Shakespearean period and the second English dictionary.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 17 mins
  • Episode 182: World of Confusion

    Episode 182: World of Confusion
    Mar 18 2025
    In the early 1600s, English began to spread around the world as speakers searched for new trading partners and new places to settle. Through that process, English become an international language, but as English speakers encountered people and languages in distant places, they sometimes became confused. That confusion and uncertainty shaped the English language during this period. In this episode, we explore early English loanwords from North America, Shakespeare's The Tempest, and the first English trading post in India. TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 182
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 16 mins
  • Episode 181: Heaven and Earth

    Episode 181: Heaven and Earth
    Jan 30 2025
    The invention of the telescope in the early 1600s laid the foundation for the scientific revolution, but it also disrupted the traditional view of the universe and led to a conflict with the Catholic Church. Meanwhile, the Anglican Church completed a translation of the Bible that became known as the King James or Authorized version. In this episode, we look at how these simultaneous developments changed the modern world and shaped the English language. TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 181
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 21 mins
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_webcro805_stickypopup
All stars
Most relevant  
One of, if not THE greatest linguistic podcasts ever created. Listening to Mr. Stroud explain the history of English is like listening to a historical novel where "English" is the main character.

I could not give this enough stars.

👌

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Ever wonder why English spelling is so weird? This is where you can find ALL the answers. It's surprisingly entertaining, and full of history.

Excellent & Informative

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Beautifully done. Incredible content from someone whose love of the English language is infectious. Thank you!

Love everything about this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I always look forward to the next episode of Mr. Stroud’s history of the English language.

His material organization is strategic and consistent, his writing is detailed and engaging, and his presentation is clear and interesting.

Thank you for providing such a deep resource into the English language through its evolution across populations in time.

Thank you, Kevin Stroud, for an Excellent Series

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.