Professor David Crystal

Renowned professor of linguistics.

Born:

6 JUL 1941

Place of Birth:

Lisburn, Northern Ireland

School:

St Mary's College, Liverpool

Biography:

David Crystal OBE is one of the world's leading experts on language and linguistics. He works from his home in Holyhead as a writer, editor, lecturer and broadcaster.

Born in Northern Ireland, David Crystal spent his early years in Holyhead. His family then moved to Liverpool in 1951 where he went to St Mary's College, and then to read English at University College London in 1959.

David Crystal joined academic life as a lecturer in linguistics, first at Bangor, then at Reading Unviersity. He became known chiefly for his research work into English language studies, in such fields as intonation and stylistics. He is now Honorary Professor of Linguistics at the University of Wales, Bangor.

Professor Crystal is probably best known for his two encyclopedias, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language and The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language.

He has further written over 40 books, including:

• Language Play (1998)
• Language Death (2000)
• Words on Words (2000)
• Language and the Internet (2001)

Thanks to Ian Saunders from Colwyn Bay for this suggestion.

your comments

Alan Duan, CHINA
I grew up in all the great works of Professor Crystal. My published Dictionary of Conversational English kindly prefaced by Professor Crystal has been aiding and serving Chinese learners of English around the world since 1993. I will forever be grateful to Professor David Crystal.
Fri Dec 19 09:35:53 2008

Yousef Al-Bader from Kuwait
Since leaving the world of full-time academia, more than twenty years ago, David Crystal has become one of the most prolific authorities on the subject of English.
Mon Feb 25 13:15:55 2008

Martin Hovadík, Czech Republic
I´ve really enjoyed Professor Crystal´s speeches on 29 and 30 November in "Uherske" as he said. I loved his glosses and jokes. To my mind he´s one of the best persons I have ever listened to. You made me loving Englis more than ever. Thank You, professor :)
Mon Dec 3 10:29:11 2007

John Watkin Bakewell
If you ever get a chance to listen to one of Professor Crystal's talks, make sure you don't miss it. They are always so interesting and indeed hilarious.
Thu May 24 09:29:12 2007

Richard Smallman, Sandbach
David Crystal's "The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language" was my bible throughout my A' Levels. Between him and my favourite English teacher, Mr Roberts, he made English Language interesting. There seems to be very little about English language the man does not know. I do have a few theories of my own I'd like to run by him though!
Thu Nov 23 09:32:33 2006

Sándor Csillag, Budapest
I enjoyed very much his "Keep your English up to date" program on BBC's Learning English site. It was facinating. Thank you.
Fri Sep 2 01:02:18 2005

Mark Carter, Valley
Invited Professor Crystal to Holyhead Lions Club Charter when I was president in 1991-92 as guest. His speech on 'Lions' was both erudite and hilarious! One of the few speeches I've enjoyed listening to.
Tue Aug 2 10:46:07 2005

more from this section

more from North West Wales

'Na' i gau cylchoedd meithrin  Prinder arian yn bygwth oriel?