Tim William Machan

Perhaps it is inevitable; indeed, it may even be correct, that a contemporary book upon the English language should be written from an American perspective. It would be hard to argue that we Brits are still the dominant end of any relationship, special or otherwise. It does help me to be more objective about this tome: I can divest myself of most of the patriotic fervour that would have hung over my views.

The book argues that all the English speaking peoples of the world have the right to the same respect - one regional variation is no better, or worse than another and, since America took the English language and amended it to her own needs, it would be foolish for the author to suggest otherwise. It is, however, noticeable that the book concentrates on the evolution of English with a very heavy US slant. Its birth and development until the Americas were colonised is dealt with in pretty short shrift and, the post US period is given greater prominence and, to my way of thinking, the other usurpers of our British tongue, have a tougher ride than our Transatlantic cousins. There is also an, in my opinion, over long and somewhat confused history of the Second World War told from the perspective of language: as with any such specific argument, the point becomes overly stretched.

Despite these niggles, this is a worthwhile read. If one were to agree with everything in any book, then it would be a waste of time reading same: it is often in the areas that one most rejects whilst reading, that the greatest advance in one's understanding may develop.… (mer)

A collection of essays on historical sociolinguistics, aimed at an academic audience. The idea is interesting -- approaching English as a marker and component of the English-speaking societies in which it has operated, rather than as an isolated structure. But for this non-academic reader at least, the game wasn't worth the candle. The book is heavy going (its style is heavily academic) and many of the conclusions seem obvious, once you get to them. Readers with a stronger academic background may find this of interest.… (mer)