| Description |
xi, 239 pages ; 20 cm |
| Contents |
1. Beginnings -- 2. Complications -- 3. Variations -- 4. Standards -- 5. Reformers -- 6. Borrowings -- 7. Courtiers -- 8. Rustics -- 9. Authors -- 10. Censurers -- 11. Protectors -- 12. Chaos -- 13. Authorities -- 14. Change -- 15. Grammar -- 16. Appropriateness -- 17. Incorrectness -- 18. Perspicuity -- 19. Clarity -- 20. Punctuation -- 21. Antecedents -- 22. Consequences -- 23. Context -- 24. Spelling -- 25. Elocution -- 26. Pronunciation -- 27. Institutions -- 28. Education -- 29. Climates -- 30. Future |
| Summary |
"Angst over the apostrophe and hysteria over hyphens: the English language has become a combat zone. Why are people so passionate about language? How has the fighting over English usage come about?" "David Crystal charts the clashes from Anglo-Saxon times via the language of Shakespeare and Samuel Johnson to our own time of texting and the greengrocer's apostrophe. While others have fought to impose their views on spelling and grammar, David Crystal - as ever scholarly yet entertaining - explains why we should say no to zero tolerance."--BOOK JACKET |
| Notes |
Formerly CIP. Uk |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index |
| Subject |
English language -- History.
|
|
English language -- Usage.
|
| LC no. |
2006049354 |
| ISBN |
019920764X hardback |
|
9780199207640 hardback |
|
