Full name: Word on the Street: Debunking the Myth of "Pure" Standard English

Author: John McWhorter Year: 1998 Rank: Rating: Original Rating: Pop Rating: Genres/categories: Non Fiction Purchase/reserch links: LibraryThing Goodreads Amazon ISBNs: 9780738204468 0738204463

Though there is a contingent of linguists who fight the fact, our language is always changing--not only through slang, but sound, syntax, and words' meanings as well. Debunking the myth of "pure" standard English, tackling controversial positions, and eschewing politically correct arguments, linguist John McWhorter considers speech patterns and regional accents to demonstrate just how the changes do occur. Wielding reason and humor, McWhorter ultimately explains why we must embrace these changes, ultimately revealing our American English in all its variety, expressiveness, and power. Similar books: The English Language by David Crystal The prodigal tongue by Mark Abley The Fight for English by David Crystal By Hook or By Crook by David Crystal Language Play by David Crystal Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue by John McWhorter The Origins and Development of the English Language by Thomas Pyles Inventing English by Seth Lerer Growth and Structure of the English Language by Otto Jespersen The Stories of English by David Crystal Blooming English by Kate Burridge How Language Works by David Crystal A History of the English Language by Albert C. Baugh The Miracle of Language by Richard Lederer The English Language by Charles Barber Fervent by Priscilla Shirer The Amazing Book is Not on Fire by Dan Howell The Adventurous Eaters Club by Misha Collins The C Programming Language by Brian W. Kernighan Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad