Me and you do do the blogging to quickly learn what is up.

As much as I am proud that a facebook quiz declared me an expert in English grammar, John McWhorter essentially debunks the value of such knowledge in his recent history of the English language.

I first came across McWhorter a number of years ago when entertaining an interest in linguistics. I read his basic history of language, "The Power of Babel," which provides a broad understanding of language evolution in world history. He doesn't just explain what changed but why languages go through such evolutions with multiple interesting examples. While primarily a linguist, he has written a few books that deal more with black culture in America, particularly social and educational issues. I haven't read these books but know they enter realms that some consider "touchy." I can't vouch for his thoughts and opinions about race issues, however I was glad to see another McWhorter book on the shelf that was purely about language (I say shelf but I actually found the book in my kindle store).

McWhorter's history of English is a bit more technical than I hoped. It is certainly more pedantic than Bill Bryson's "The Mother Tongue" on the same subject. I recommend Bryson's book for entertainment value and even a broader understanding of the cultural importance of English but also appreciate the implications of McWhorters overarching themes as well. His ideas are explained clearly and I enjoyed the great historical analysis that came between very detailed and thoroughly explained linguist examples that I often found myself skimming.

So what's my real take away here? McWhorter strikes a wonderful balance of emphasis between the importance of using English properly and suggesting that there is no "proper" English. Any language is alive and constantly changing such that grammar and usage deemed incorrect in one era may become the standard in another. He derides those that insist we don't end our sentences with prepositions and other such usage. At the same time he also reminds us that if language changes like fashion it often pays off to be aware of the latest trends. It "ain't" a problem to wear sweatpants and a t-shirt at home bit it "isn't" a good idea to do so at work where a tie is expected (even if a tie is just a left-over obsession of Parisians impressed with the dress of their Croatian mercenaries in war that happened nearly four hundred years ago).

I amn't (why not, they use it in Scotland) suggesting that we turn off grammar and spell checks on Casual Friday but there are times when I don't need to be told to stop splitting my infinitives and others when I should make the extra effort to reconnect them. Anyone that insists we always follow the highest conventions of our ever-evolving language is eventually going to find themselves embarrassingly overdressed but failing to learn the them could leave you in front of the class in your underwear.