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In Defense of Common English. "Such is the dilemma of the linguist, or at least the linguist who has any desire to reach anyone outside their — excuse me, his or her — discipline. A sizable group of people is partial to attending discussions and reading books about language. But what this group wants to hear is antithetical to what scholars of this subject want to say."
The following quote from the article caught my attention: "the prohibition against it [the singular use of they] was the legacy of a small group of nitpickers who, in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, basically invented a bunch of usage rules that unaccountably persist."
Can anyone recommend a book that covers this subject in an enjoyable, layman fashion?
Do you mean a book to convince those who oppose language changes?
I suggest vol 1 of the OED. Attach it to a two-by-four and swing for the forehead. I'm afraid that these folk are resistant to more scholarly approaches.
That should cover the topic and it certainly would be enjoyable to both layman and scholar alike. Of course, enjoyment depends on which end of the stick you engage with.
OK. I haven't read it, but your post caused me to do a little research and this book looks promising as far as your description:
The Fight for English: How Language Pundits Ate, Shot, and Left (Paperback)
David Crystal (Author)
This one seems to promise less on the way these goofy pseudo-rules arose, but looks interesting as well:
Everything You Know About English Is Wrong (Paperback)
Bill Brohaugh (Author)
Martha, Grant, have you read these? What are your thoughts?
The Crystal book is the one you want. David Crystal is a highly respected British linguist and lexicographer. Here's his blog.
Thank you, Glenn and Grant! I've ordered the Crystal book and I may even suggest it for my book club. The publisher describes the book as going back a thousand years, to one Aelfric the Grammarian, working its way up to the present, including, I expect, those 18th and 19th century grammar mavens. I can't wait!
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Grant Barrett
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