Readings on the English Language
Excerpts from influential studies of the English language--its history, grammar, and vocabulary.
Why Should I Study the English Language?
In his preface to "The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language," David Crystal offers six good reasons for studying the English language.
In his preface to "The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language," David Crystal offers six good reasons for studying the English language.
Walt Whitman on Slang in America
Here, in an essay published in 1888, poet Walt Whitman offers many examples of slang expressions and "luxuriant" place names--all representative of "the wholesome fermentation or eructation of those processes eternally active in language."
Here, in an essay published in 1888, poet Walt Whitman offers many examples of slang expressions and "luxuriant" place names--all representative of "the wholesome fermentation or eructation of those processes eternally active in language."
The Standard of Usage in English, by Thomas R. Lounsbury (1908)
These excerpts from the opening and closing pages of Thomas R. Lounsbury's book "The Standard of Usage in English" (1908) demonstrate that concern about the decline of language has had a long history in English. But as Lounsbury points out, such efforts to "save" and "fix" the language have never succeeded--and doubtless never will.
These excerpts from the opening and closing pages of Thomas R. Lounsbury's book "The Standard of Usage in English" (1908) demonstrate that concern about the decline of language has had a long history in English. But as Lounsbury points out, such efforts to "save" and "fix" the language have never succeeded--and doubtless never will.
Isolated Phenomena of Language: Grammar and Dictionary
In this excerpt from his textbook "The Practical Study of Languages" (1899), Henry Sweet identifies the different functions of grammars and dictionaries.
In this excerpt from his textbook "The Practical Study of Languages" (1899), Henry Sweet identifies the different functions of grammars and dictionaries.
The Teaching of English Grammar, by Oliver Farrar Emerson
In a paper read before the Michigan Schoolmasters' Club in November 1896, Dr. Emerson spoke confidently of "a revival of the study of English grammar" in our schools. But he wasn't advocating any sort of "back-to-basics" approach. As you read his three-point plan for improving the teaching of grammar, consider what lessons might still be drawn from it today.
In a paper read before the Michigan Schoolmasters' Club in November 1896, Dr. Emerson spoke confidently of "a revival of the study of English grammar" in our schools. But he wasn't advocating any sort of "back-to-basics" approach. As you read his three-point plan for improving the teaching of grammar, consider what lessons might still be drawn from it today.
Literature and the Schoolma'm, by H.L. Mencken
Among Mencken's most devoted readers are the selfsame "pedagogues" and schoolma'ms" he ridicules in this classic essay on style and the teaching of writing.
Among Mencken's most devoted readers are the selfsame "pedagogues" and schoolma'ms" he ridicules in this classic essay on style and the teaching of writing.