Book

The Language Wars

Name: The Language Wars
ISBN: 9781250013941

A History of Proper English

Henry Hitchings

Picador · Print & ebook · October 30, 2012

Reading lane: Historical Linguistics

"Exemplary...Hitchings has created a fascinating, wholly readable, and gratifyingly informative book."--- Financial Times (London) The English language is a battlefield.

Sociolinguistics Historical Linguistics Psycholinguistics

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At a Glance

Why This Clicks

More Than Grammar

English usage disputes reveal how arguments over correctness carry the values of their age.

Come here for

Why proper English has been contested since Shakespeare
Swift, Carroll, and Lenny Bruce in language’s history

Expect

Usage debates entangled with morality and politics
A look toward English’s contested future

Book Details

Authors: Henry Hitchings
Publisher: Picador
Published: October 30, 2012
Format: Print & ebook
Theme: Historical Linguistics · Sociolinguistics
Reading lane: Historical Linguistics

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Historical Linguistics

About This Book

"Exemplary...Hitchings has created a fascinating, wholly readable, and gratifyingly informative book."--- Financial Times (London) The English language is a battlefield. Since the age of Shakespeare, arguments over correct usage have been bitter; often they've had more to do with morality, politics, and the values of the age than with language itself. Peopled with intriguing characters such as Jonathan Swift, Lewis Carroll, and Lenny Bruce, The Language Wars is essential rea...

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