The Language Wars: A History of Proper English - Hardcover

Hitchings, Henry

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0374183295 ISBN 13: 9780374183295

Publisher: Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2011

Synopsis

The English language is a battlefield. Since the age of Shakespeare, arguments over correct usage have been bitter, and have always really been about contesting values—morality, politics, and class. The Language Wars examines the present state of the conflict, its history, and its future. Above all, it uses the past as a way of illuminating the present. Moving chronologically, the book explores the most persis­tent issues to do with English and unpacks the history of “proper” us­age. Where did these ideas spring from? Who has been on the front lines in the language wars?

The Language Wars examines grammar rules, regional accents, swearing, spelling, dictionaries, political correctness, and the role of electronic media in reshaping language. It also takes a look at such de­tails as the split infinitive, elocution, and text messaging. Peopled with intriguing characters such as Jonathan Swift, Lewis Carroll, and Lenny Bruce, The Language Wars is an essential volume for anyone interested in the state of the English language today or its future.

About this title

Product Description

For centuries bitter arguments have raged over the correct usage of the English language, with ideas of correctness often having more to do with morality and politics than language itself. 'But feeling outrage is not the same as being right': in a witty, combative and thought-provoking book, Hitchings presents the most persistent disputes in chronological order, asking where ideas of 'proper' English have come from and assessing their implications for our relationships, work and freedoms.

Review

"Hitchings has earned a place at the head table of contemporary linguists."---"The Denver Post""Thoroughly charming...A rich history of English and the shifting rule books for its correctness...Hitchings cautions readers to take care, not in the way of the 'grumblers, fault-finders, quibblers and mud-slingers, ' but following the example of Orwell, in using language to be clear, to be honest, to connect with each other."---"The Boston Globe

"

"Hitchings has prepared a turducken of language-history entrees. Consuming one layer, we discover another, and another. And we feast."---"The Cleveland Plain Dealer

"

"Mr. Hitchings's trenchant prose is irresistible."---"The Baltimore Sun

"

"Extraordinary...Chock-full of historical and literary references, "The Language Wars" is a fascinating, eye-opening look at the evolution of the English language."---"The Huffington Post

"

"Crisply written, amusing, informative, and thought-provoking. Anyone interested in the English language and its history should read it."---"The Sunday Telegraph" (London)

"Hitchings has prepared a turducken of language-history entrees. Consuming one layer, we discover another, and another. And we feast."---"The Cleveland Plain Dealer" "Thoroughly charming...A rich history of English and the shifting rule books for its correctness...Hitchings cautions readers to take care, not in the way of the 'grumblers, fault-finders, quibblers and mud-slingers, ' but following the example of Orwell, in using language to be clear, to be honest, to connect with each other."---"The Boston Globe" "Hitchings has earned a place at the head table of contemporary linguists."---"The Denver Post""

"

"

"

"Mr. Hitchings's trenchant prose is irresistible."---"The Baltimore Sun

"

"Extraordinary...Chock-full of historical and literary references, "The Language Wars" is a fascinating, eye-opening look at the evolution of the English language."---"The Huffington Post

"

"Crisply written, amusing, informative, and thought-provoking. Anyone interested in the English language and its history should read it."---"The Sunday Telegraph" (London)

Hitchings has prepared a turducken of language-history entrees. Consuming one layer, we discover another, and another. And we feast. "The Cleveland Plain Dealer"

Thoroughly charming A rich history of English and the shifting rule books for its correctness Hitchings cautions readers to take care, not in the way of the grumblers, fault-finders, quibblers and mud-slingers, ' but following the example of Orwell, in using language to be clear, to be honest, to connect with each other. "The Boston Globe"

Hitchings has earned a place at the head table of contemporary linguists. "The Denver Post"

Mr. Hitchings's trenchant prose is irresistible. "The Baltimore Sun"

Extraordinary Chock-full of historical and literary references, "The Language Wars" is a fascinating, eye-opening look at the evolution of the English language. "The Huffington Post"

Crisply written, amusing, informative, and thought-provoking. Anyone interested in the English language and its history should read it. "The Sunday Telegraph (London)""

"Hitchings has prepared a turducken of language-history entrees. Consuming one layer, we discover another, and another. And we feast." --The Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Thoroughly charming...A rich history of English and the shifting rule books for its correctness...Hitchings cautions readers to take care, not in the way of the 'grumblers, fault-finders, quibblers and mud-slingers, ' but following the example of Orwell, in using language to be clear, to be honest, to connect with each other." --The Boston Globe

"Hitchings has earned a place at the head table of contemporary linguists." --The Denver Post

"Mr. Hitchings's trenchant prose is irresistible." --The Baltimore Sun

"Extraordinary...Chock-full of historical and literary references, The Language Wars is a fascinating, eye-opening look at the evolution of the English language." --The Huffington Post

"Crisply written, amusing, informative, and thought-provoking. Anyone interested in the English language and its history should read it." --The Sunday Telegraph (London)

Edition details

• Publisher: Farrar Straus & Giroux
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0374183295
• ISBN 13: 9780374183295
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 408