by Melvyn Bragg (Available for borrow on Archive.org). A narrative-driven biography of the English language.
by Edward Sapir (Project Gutenberg). A foundational text on how and why languages drift. Why Do Languages Change? free ebook download
by Guy Deutscher. While the full book is under copyright, many university portals offer extensive summaries and "open access" chapters regarding his theories on language evolution. by Melvyn Bragg (Available for borrow on Archive
The question of why languages change is one of the most fascinating journeys in human history. It isn't just about "slang" or new inventions; it is a story of migration, survival, and the way our brains process the world. The Story of Language Change it is a story of migration