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The State of the Language: English Observed
Is the English language in decline? Many people seem to think so--but Philip Howard isn't one of them. The Literary Editor of The Times of London, Howard takes a robust, commonsensical view of the changes that are happening in English. His is not the Panglossian attitude that all is
neccessarily for the best in the best of all possible languages, but he does feel that change is necessary--and healthy--in any living language.
Howard here examines the language in its various branches and categories, such as grammar and pronunciation, spelling and punctuation, dialect and slang. He discusses the effect the new technologies, from cable TV to photocomposition, are having on the mother tongue, and he examines the new
dialects that are coming into use. He navigates the back streets of euphemism and the broad, boring boulevards of cliche. He asks whether the language is actually changing as fast as we suppose, and, if so, why.
Howard argues that as far as we can, we should strive to direct and control the changes in English in ways that increase its power. And where we can't help it, he says, we should lie back and enjoy its immense richness, which is unrivaled by any other language. Rather than have us wring our
hands, Philip Howard entreats us, with his customary with and erudition, to use our tongues in concert with our brains.
About the
Philip Howard is the author of New Words for Old, Weasel Words, Words Fail Me, and, most recently, A Word in Your Ear.
neccessarily for the best in the best of all possible languages, but he does feel that change is necessary--and healthy--in any living language.
Howard here examines the language in its various branches and categories, such as grammar and pronunciation, spelling and punctuation, dialect and slang. He discusses the effect the new technologies, from cable TV to photocomposition, are having on the mother tongue, and he examines the new
dialects that are coming into use. He navigates the back streets of euphemism and the broad, boring boulevards of cliche. He asks whether the language is actually changing as fast as we suppose, and, if so, why.
Howard argues that as far as we can, we should strive to direct and control the changes in English in ways that increase its power. And where we can't help it, he says, we should lie back and enjoy its immense richness, which is unrivaled by any other language. Rather than have us wring our
hands, Philip Howard entreats us, with his customary with and erudition, to use our tongues in concert with our brains.
About the
Philip Howard is the author of New Words for Old, Weasel Words, Words Fail Me, and, most recently, A Word in Your Ear.
Hardcover
First published February 14, 1985
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
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October 7, 2011When I bought this it was 'current'.
Having been first published in 1984 now makes it closer to an archival document of 'those times'!!!
Not that the writer hasn't an 'open' attitude to the language,
but for one thing the technology has changed aa well as the vocabulary in just over a quarter of a century.
Chapter Headings read as follows:
1-Registers,2-Slang,3-Jargon,4-Dialect,,5-Cliche,6-Euphemism,
7-Grammar,8-Spelling,9-Punctuation.
Mmmmm!
Having reviewed those as I typed them I really don't think the issues will have altered much at all. The Language WILL HAVE altered, but good old Human Nature will be much the same as it has been for thousands of years.
December 11, 2012
The author thought in 1984 that the language was going to the dogs. He should perhaps write another book in 2013-14. That would be a great comparative study! Its interesting to see how people perceived languages 30 years ago, and how the young now use language to express themselves! A good read!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews