Words in Time and Place
The English Language and the Visual Arts
Monday 23 February 2015 1 - 2pm
Reynolds Room, Burlington House
Free, booking required.
Friends of the RA book first
Join British linguist David Crystal to find out if Lady Mary (of Downton Abbey) really could have said in 1912 that Sybil was "banging on about her new frock" and what words were available to talk about bad weather when Rubens sailed for England.
David Crystal's new book Words in Time and Place introduces the immense Historical Thesaurus of the Oxford English Dictionary (HTOED), which allows us to explore earlier intellectual worlds through the words and idioms used – and to spot anachronisms. During this talk, Crystal illustrates the way the HTOED handles and reflects the visual arts in particular.
This event is followed by a book signing of Words in Time and Place by David Crystal.
Free (seats must be reserved online or by telephone; unclaimed seats will be released at 1pm that day)
No latecomers will be admitted after 1pm.