Abstract
This book examines Americans' obsession with grammar and usage, and how the flexibility and fluidity of the English language affect notions about what is and is not "correct" English. Confronting the popular image of the English teacher as a card-carrying member of the language police, the book takes a critical look at past and present attempts to play off the linguistic fears of Americans (i.e., modern usage guides). Issues such as whether the English language is dying, double standards and plagiarism, political correctness and language taboos, and the relevance of spelling bees in this age of spell checkers, are examined. The book also presents the "five best words of the 80s," the most important words of 1990, the best words of 1991, and new words for 1992.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Place of Publication | Urbana, Il |
| Publisher | National Council of Teachers of English |
| Number of pages | 174 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780814119426 |
| State | Published - 1994 |