John McWhorter – Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths of Language Usage

Question and Answer

What is John McWhorter –?

John McWhorter – is Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths of Language Usage Course Overview Is English broken?.

How does John McWhorter – broken??

John McWhorter – Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths of Language Usage Course Overview Is English broken?

What is bad grammar,?

bad grammar, is Do slang, and illogical constructions signal a decline in standards of usage?.

How does bad grammar, Do?

Do bad grammar, slang, and illogical constructions signal a decline in standards of usage?

What is e-mail and text?

e-mail and text is Do messages corrupt the art of writing?.

How does e-mail and text Do?

Do e-mail and text messages corrupt the art of writing?

What is our language?

our language is In short, is going to the dogs?.

How does our language is?

In short, is our language going to the dogs?

What is It’s?

It’s is easy to think so, just as it’s easy to listen to people speaking a foreign language and think that they’re doing something more complicated and interesting than we’re doing in speaking English..

How does It’s think so,?

It’s easy to think so, just as it’s easy to listen to people speaking a foreign language and think that they’re doing something more complicated and interesting than we’re doing in speaking English.

What is English?

English is But is complicated and interesting too..

How does English is?

But English is complicated and interesting too.

What is the real truth behind these widespread beliefs:?

the real truth behind these widespread beliefs: is Consider English is in crisis: False..

How does the real truth behind these widespread beliefs: Consider?

Consider the real truth behind these widespread beliefs: English is in crisis: False.

What is fundamental change?

fundamental change is English has been undergoing for centuries..

How does fundamental change has been undergoing?

English has been undergoing fundamental change for centuries.

What is Novelty and caprice?

Novelty and caprice is have created not just slang but the very foundations of what we think of as the best parts of English..

How does Novelty and caprice have created not just slang?

Novelty and caprice have created not just slang but the very foundations of what we think of as the best parts of English.

What is Latin?

Latin is is more perfect than modern languages: False..

How does Latin is more perfect?

Latin is more perfect than modern languages: False.

What is historical accident,?

historical accident, is By Latin became the standard for grammatical rigor..

How does historical accident, became?

By historical accident, Latin became the standard for grammatical rigor.

What is countless languages,?

countless languages, is But including English, are Latin’s equal in precision and expressive power..

How does countless languages, including?

But countless languages, including English, are Latin’s equal in precision and expressive power.

What is Grammar?

Grammar is should be logical: False..

How does Grammar should be?

Grammar should be logical: False.

What is A double negative?

A double negative is is unacceptable in standard English because it implies a positive..

How does A double negative is?

A double negative is unacceptable in standard English because it implies a positive.

What is many languages?

many languages is But use it without misunderstanding, along with other constructions that defy strict logic..

How does many languages use?

But many languages use it without misunderstanding, along with other constructions that defy strict logic.

What is False.?

False. is Texting degrades writing:.

How does False. Texting degrades writing:?

Texting degrades writing: False.

What is Text?

Text is messages and e-mail are not crowding out other forms of language..

How does Text messages?

Text messages and e-mail are not crowding out other forms of language.

What is they?

they is Instead, fill an important niche—informal writing—that until now had no adequate outlet..

How does they fill?

Instead, they fill an important niche—informal writing—that until now had no adequate outlet.

What is The modern attitude?

The modern attitude is toward English is filled with such misconceptions that obscure the true picture of what a marvelous language it is..

How does The modern attitude is filled?

The modern attitude toward English is filled with such misconceptions that obscure the true picture of what a marvelous language it is.

What is a language in decline,?

a language in decline, is Far from being English is the product of surprisingly varied linguistic forces, some of which have only recently come to light..

How does a language in decline, being?

Far from being a language in decline, English is the product of surprisingly varied linguistic forces, some of which have only recently come to light.

What is these forces?

these forces is And continue to push English in new directions—in defiance of those who long for an age of formal perfection that never existed..

How does these forces continue?

And these forces continue to push English in new directions—in defiance of those who long for an age of formal perfection that never existed.

What is linguist,?

linguist, is Taught by acclaimed author, and Professor John McWhorter of Columbia University, Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths of Language Usage dispels the cloud of confusion that clings to English, giving you a crystal-clear view of why we use it the way we do and where it fits into the diverse languages of the world..

How does linguist, Taught?

Taught by acclaimed linguist, author, and Professor John McWhorter of Columbia University, Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths of Language Usage dispels the cloud of confusion that clings to English, giving you a crystal-clear view of why we use it the way we do and where it fits into the diverse languages of the world.

What is these 24 lectures,?

these 24 lectures, is After completing you will think about how you use English in a new way, listen to others with discernment and fascination, and take joy in speaking such a wonderfully idiosyncratic tongue..

How does these 24 lectures, completing?

After completing these 24 lectures, you will think about how you use English in a new way, listen to others with discernment and fascination, and take joy in speaking such a wonderfully idiosyncratic tongue.

What is beneath the Surface of English Like?

beneath the Surface of English Like is Dig an archaeologist sifting through clues to a vanished civilization, Professor McWhorter highlights the many features of English that sound normal to a native speaker but that linguists find puzzling and also revealing: Meaningless do: The only languages that use do in the way English does (as in “do not walk”) are the Celtic languages such as Welsh, which were spoken by people who lived among the early English and influenced their language in many subtle ways..

How does beneath the Surface of English Like Dig?

Dig beneath the Surface of English Like an archaeologist sifting through clues to a vanished civilization, Professor McWhorter highlights the many features of English that sound normal to a native speaker but that linguists find puzzling and also revealing: Meaningless do: The only languages that use do in the way English does (as in “do not walk”) are the Celtic languages such as Welsh, which were spoken by people who lived among the early English and influenced their language in many subtle ways.

What is mistakes:?

mistakes: is Fossilized  The little green legume often eaten with carrots was formerly called pease in the singular..

How does mistakes: Fossilized?

Fossilized mistakes: The little green legume often eaten with carrots was formerly called pease in the singular.

What is The word?

The word is was gradually misinterpreted as plural because of the final s sound, and a new singular form was assumed to exist: pea..

How does The word was gradually misinterpreted?

The word was gradually misinterpreted as plural because of the final s sound, and a new singular form was assumed to exist: pea.

What is “Heritage” Old English:?

“Heritage” Old English: is One of the mysteries of Modern English is that it resembles a heritage version of Old English..

How does “Heritage” Old English: is?

“Heritage” Old English: One of the mysteries of Modern English is that it resembles a heritage version of Old English.

What is A heritage language?

A heritage language is is one learned imperfectly at home, typically by immigrant children who acquire a different dominant language..

How does A heritage language is?

A heritage language is one learned imperfectly at home, typically by immigrant children who acquire a different dominant language.

What is English?

English is Hear with New Ears In the first part of the course, you address historical mysteries about English..

How does English Hear?

Hear English with New Ears In the first part of the course, you address historical mysteries about English.

What is Your investigation?

Your investigation is begins 2,500 years ago with Proto-Germanic, the language that gave birth to the Germanic languages..

How does Your investigation begins?

Your investigation begins 2,500 years ago with Proto-Germanic, the language that gave birth to the Germanic languages.

What is there,?

there, is From you trace the shifting path that eventually led to English—a Germanic language like no other—which lacks grammatical gender and practically all case endings and conjugation markers..

How does there, trace?

From there, you trace the shifting path that eventually led to English—a Germanic language like no other—which lacks grammatical gender and practically all case endings and conjugation markers.

What is “Something?

“Something is happened to English,” says Professor McWhorter, and by the end of Lecture 9 you will have pieced together evidence from many different languages that explain our tongue’s unique evolution..

How does “Something happened?

“Something happened to English,” says Professor McWhorter, and by the end of Lecture 9 you will have pieced together evidence from many different languages that explain our tongue’s unique evolution.

What is the second part of Myths,?

the second part of Myths, is In the second part of Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths of Language Usage, you focus on modern controversies about how English is used, which take on new clarity in light of the historical background covered earlier in the course..

How does the second part of Myths, focus?

In the second part of Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths of Language Usage, you focus on modern controversies about how English is used, which take on new clarity in light of the historical background covered earlier in the course.

What is These lectures?

These lectures is give you a fresh perspective on the language, allowing you to understand it more fully: Pronoun problems: “Billy and me went to the store” is considered incorrect, because the subject form, I, should be used instead of me..

How does These lectures give?

These lectures give you a fresh perspective on the language, allowing you to understand it more fully: Pronoun problems: “Billy and me went to the store” is considered incorrect, because the subject form, I, should be used instead of me.

What is “Me?

“Me is But then why does and Billy went to the store” sound so much more fluent than “I and Billy went to the store”?.

How does “Me does?

But then why does “Me and Billy went to the store” sound so much more fluent than “I and Billy went to the store”?

What is Lie/lay confusion:?

Lie/lay confusion: is Lie/lay confusion: Lie and lay exemplify an old pattern in English, in which the vowel is altered to make an intransitive verb transitive..

How does Lie/lay confusion: exemplify?

Lie/lay confusion: Lie and lay exemplify an old pattern in English, in which the vowel is altered to make an intransitive verb transitive.

What is drench?

drench is But as with another such pair, drink and  (where drench originally meant “to force to drink”), the traditional lie/lay distinction is irreversibly withering away. Dangling participles: “Driving through town, the crowds looked ominous” is deemed ungrammatical, because it suggests the crowds were doing the driving..

How does drench such pair,?

But as with another such pair, drink and drench (where drench originally meant “to force to drink”), the traditional lie/lay distinction is irreversibly withering away. Dangling participles: “Driving through town, the crowds looked ominous” is deemed ungrammatical, because it suggests the crowds were doing the driving.

What is “Judging?

“Judging is But what about from her appearance, she was quite tired,” which has the same construction but is widely accepted?.

How does “Judging was quite?

But what about “Judging from her appearance, she was quite tired,” which has the same construction but is widely accepted?

What is Terminal prepositions:?

Terminal prepositions: is The rule against ending a sentence with a preposition is largely the work of 18th-century clergyman Robert Lowth, who had so internalized the rhythms of Latin that he wished to impose a similar structure on English, which has a much more flexible relationship with prepositions..

How does Terminal prepositions: is largely?

Terminal prepositions: The rule against ending a sentence with a preposition is largely the work of 18th-century clergyman Robert Lowth, who had so internalized the rhythms of Latin that he wished to impose a similar structure on English, which has a much more flexible relationship with prepositions.

What is A History of Defying Rules These examples?

A History of Defying Rules These examples is and many more in the course represent a few of the flash points in English’s long history of defying rules, a process that occurs in all languages..

How does A History of Defying Rules These examples represent?

A History of Defying Rules These examples and many more in the course represent a few of the flash points in English’s long history of defying rules, a process that occurs in all languages.

What is a vivid analogy,?

a vivid analogy, is In Professor McWhorter says that the effort to keep English the way it used to be is like trying to dry off the beach with a towel..

How does a vivid analogy, says?

In a vivid analogy, Professor McWhorter says that the effort to keep English the way it used to be is like trying to dry off the beach with a towel.

What is the jobs of linguists?

the jobs of linguists is One of is to pull back the camera and take in the big picture to see how languages naturally evolve, and to predict where they’re going next..

How does the jobs of linguists is?

One of the jobs of linguists is to pull back the camera and take in the big picture to see how languages naturally evolve, and to predict where they’re going next.

What is you?

you is As discover in Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths of Language Usage, the evidence is all around you: in the speech you hear in public places and on television, in the always-innovative slang of the young, on the printed page and Internet, and in your own mouth..

How does you discover?

As you discover in Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths of Language Usage, the evidence is all around you: in the speech you hear in public places and on television, in the always-innovative slang of the young, on the printed page and Internet, and in your own mouth.

What is “Part?

“Part is of being a healthy society is being proud of one’s language,” says Professor McWhorter..

How does “Part being?

“Part of being a healthy society is being proud of one’s language,” says Professor McWhorter.

What is course,?

course, is In this exciting he gives you every reason to be a proud, informed, and more self-aware speaker of English..

How does course, gives?

In this exciting course, he gives you every reason to be a proud, informed, and more self-aware speaker of English.

What is 24 Lectures 1Alarm over the Decay of English?

24 Lectures 1Alarm over the Decay of English is 2Surprises in the Ancestry of Old English 3Not Exactly Anglo-Saxon 4Don’t Forget the Celtic Connection 5From Insider Language to Lingua Franca 6English as Easy German 7The Viking Conquest of English 8How the Words of Modern English Emerged 9Black English—The Streamlining Continues 10Honored Conceits of Blackboard Grammar 11Pronoun Fashions Come and Go 12Wrong Then, Proper Now—and Vice Versa 13A Procession of Accidents and Fossils 14The Pursuit of Logic in Language 15Clarity as the Logic of Language 1620th-Century Fashions from Strunk & White 17The Kinds of Grammar You Don’t Hear About 18Linguists Uncovering Grammar We All Use 19Speech versus Writing—Different Languages 20Speechmaking—From Oratory to Plain Speaking 21The Old and New Styles of Writing 22Got Poetry?.

How does 24 Lectures 1Alarm over the Decay of English 2Surprises?

24 Lectures 1Alarm over the Decay of English 2Surprises in the Ancestry of Old English 3Not Exactly Anglo-Saxon 4Don’t Forget the Celtic Connection 5From Insider Language to Lingua Franca 6English as Easy German 7The Viking Conquest of English 8How the Words of Modern English Emerged 9Black English—The Streamlining Continues 10Honored Conceits of Blackboard Grammar 11Pronoun Fashions Come and Go 12Wrong Then, Proper Now—and Vice Versa 13A Procession of Accidents and Fossils 14The Pursuit of Logic in Language 15Clarity as the Logic of Language 1620th-Century Fashions from Strunk & White 17The Kinds of Grammar You Don’t Hear About 18Linguists Uncovering Grammar We All Use 19Speech versus Writing—Different Languages 20Speechmaking—From Oratory to Plain Speaking 21The Old and New Styles of Writing 22Got Poetry?