Spelling schmelling: Will sorts out the function and the form

Please give a warm welcome to William Shakespeare, today’s second guest blogger (the first was Christopher Marlowe).

Good morning Willie lovers,

I’m going to talk about language. Because language is a funny thing. When urged to define it, many people would probably say that it’s a vehicle for information, but it’s so much more. Phrases like “It’s cold out” or “How are you? I’m fine, thanks” are not exactly packed with piping hot news, are they? And still we say them, along with loads of other stuff that has nothing to do with conveying facts. Rather language is a social glue, tying us together like the act of picking of nits among our fellow primates.

Which brings me to another form of nit-picking: many people pride themselves on their language skills, which is all very well. Words are a wonderful playground for those so inclined. However, sometimes this pride…

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