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

Rating:
Summary: There is indeed no such thing as "pure" standard English
Review: John McWhorter convincingly argues that there is no such thing as an absolutist standard English forevermore etched in stone. The very first section of this beautiful book is aptly entitled "Language: A Living Organism." McWhorter takes to task those laboring "under the common illusion that a language ought be a static, unchanging system." It should be immediately added that language is an intrinsically nebulous activity. A word is meaningless unless used in a particular context. Even the infamous "n" word may have a positive connotation when used among friends. So-called Black English is simply another form of communication that pragmatically works for some people. The only valid question is whether these individuals sufficiently understand each other. If the answer is yes, then it minimally qualifies as a language. Alas, every group of people embracing a minority language must compromise and accept a standard language that best responds to the needs of the overall majority. There are, though, no set rules in achieving this goal. A democratically premised culture must do its best to resolve this never ending messy and thankless task. Feelings will inevitably be hurt, and feathers will be ruffled. Democracies are not perfect institutions, only far better than all of the alternatives.

"Put simply, the term language is shorthand for a collection of dialects, of which one happens to be used by the elite and written down, while the others are not," insightfully declares McWhorter. One might also point out that all human beings have the ability to invent a new word. However, others must be converted over to
accepting any such attempt at originality. Words constantly evolve, and some prominent today may disappear tomorrow. McWhorter and I almost certainly agree that the conceded nebulousness of language is no reason to succumb to the nihilism of the philosophical deconstructionists. Both of us harshly view the Stanley Fishs and Jacques Derridas of the academic community. A human being's developed virtue of prudential judgment is more than adequate to guide them through the challenge of ascertaining a workable consensus meaning for each and every word.

McWhorter's brilliant work is not merely an Afro-American scholar's effort to confront the conventionally conservative white language establishment. On the contrary, this esteemed professor has written a masterpiece on the very nature of language itself. "Word on the Street" should be in everyone's personal library.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Book for English Nuts
Review: This is a great book I wish to recommend to all grammar Nazis. It's going to ruin my copyediting, but it's really turning my head around about English and languages in general.

Essentially, McWhorter goes and beats the ... out of grammarians from the perspective of a linguist. Apparently linguists, who deal with language as it is spoken and written by humans, cannot stand grammarians, who are, to use this book's phrase, ``obscure martinets.''

No little synopsis here can do the book justice. McWhorter has three main discussions, which are great fun. In the first, he talks about the feminist problem -- can we use ``they'' as a singular pronoun? In the second, he argues quite convincingly that it's about time we started translating Shakespeare into a language modern humans speak. And in the third, he discusses Black English, and how it qualifies as a legitimate dialect, every bit as subtle, nuanced, and important as so-called standard English.

But never mind all that. Everyone who plays with language for fun should read the book for this paragraph:

``For example, William F. Buckley is a prime example of someone who is articulate in standard English. Although many of us might bemoan the frigid paleoconservatism of his utterances themselves, there is no denying his enviable agility in wielding vocabulary, syntax, and allusion for all they're worth.''

Paleoconservatism -- now that right there is a great addition to English.

Rating:
Summary: Please spare me....
Review: What a load of half baked arguments, pretentiousness, and self indulgent tripe. Mr. McWhorter seems to forget there is a real world where correct grammar matters. "Standard English" be it white, black or whatever dialect matters. It's not the dialect itself; it's the acceptance by the majority is what matters. Perceived correct usage of language is second only to looks when humans are communicating. Incorrect, unpopular, or perceived lack of knowledge of the speaker is one of the fastest ways to pidgeon hole oneself in a particular edcuational or economic group. I should know; as a Nooo Yawker I got problems gedding some jobs 'cauze I tawk kinda funny. You know what I'm sayin? fuggeddabout it.

Mr. McWhorter does his readers a dis-servce with his petty agenda.

Finally, about how "controversial" his arguments are... American English has never had an Academie Francaise enforcing its rules . Another classic case of self important jacket copy hyperbole.