Judgments About English by Devangini Mahapatra Chauhan - Book Report/Review Example

JUDGEMENTS ABOUT ENGLISH By Devangini Mahapatra Chauhan The book by Dick Leith, David Graddol and Joan Swann, d Englsih: History, Diversity andChange, is a wonderful book in a series that provide an in depth studies regarding the history of the language with an analysis of its use in the modern scheme of things. A language is that tool that assists human beings in expressing themselves. The way a particular language has come up depends on its history, the culture that complements it and various factors like the functional use that first triggered the need to coin certain words or principles of use for spoken and written purposes. English is by and far, a universally acceptable language - spoken by maximum people in maximum countries. Better known as the Queen's language, English originated in Great Britain and continued to spread its influence over the entire world through a legacy of colonisation. There has been a conscious move towards study of the history of the language while building up to the modern use of English. With the rise of modernism, the need to use more clipped sentences and avoid repetitive use of pronouns and other articles has become a pre requisite for using the language. The authors have, throughout the book, outlined the history of the language since colonial to post colonial times. Also, they have placed importance on the shrugging off of the old grammatical ways that have given way to new grammar. It is in this transitional phase that one will find important insights into why English has come up the way it has, considering it has made its presence felt in so many corners of the globe. In the initial chapters, the authors provide a social and cultural analysis of the growth of English and its gradual spread over various continents. What influenced this phenomenon was the process of colonisation. This prompted the establishment of entire English speaking communities. These people were then forced to maintain connections with the economic and cultural scenario in England. This stems from a need to keep in touch with the roots attached to the use of something in one's daily life. For example, the translations in the national language come directly from the English phrases used in the Indian Army, which came from the British Army being a former colony of the British Empire. With notes on Irish and Australian English, the authors bring us to a point where it is imperative to realise those parts of English that must be paid attention to in its everyday use. All of this boils down to the ninth chapter titled "Good and Bad English". Also, there are important chapters on styles and accents. While on modernism, having built up on renaissance and growth of capitalism, the authors have managed to outline modernism as the personal take of various cultural theorists. Delving into the transition of the entire European society which triggered the need for the English language to enter its modern state, the authors talk of how modernism is more a state of one's mind within the context of economic and social condition. In doing so, they hope to demonstrate how the language has developed as a more standardised language. (Leith et al, p. 136) Further, they have managed to identify the common mistakes and misuse of the language - whether it is the misplaced sensibilities behind the jargon used by today's teenagers or the abuse of the various adjectives in general. In this way, through various examples, particularly in Chapter 9, the authors have managed to place common judgements that revolve around good and bad English. While there was general consensus on the misuse of the language, the authors have put these feelings into words by placing emphasis on the nuances that most of would otherwise miss. (Leith et al, p. 338) In this chapter, the author, Donald Mackinnon, has stressed on various issues. For starters, he evaluates the general state of things by noticing that the A level boards have pointed out the sloppy use of the language by teenagers. Considering that the language is as old as the British Isles themselves, the British Broadcasting Corporation or the BBC, as it is more popularly known, published a comprehensive guide to BBC English - a first of its kind at that time. This guide traces a trend that worryingly seems to be inclined towards colloquialism in a bid to lay down the broad guidelines within which the English language must be used in order to make sure it is used in a respectable manner that goes a long way in asserting the fact that it didn't become a globally acceptable language without a reason. With its many complicated ways and sometimes, extremely simple principles, the English language needs to be used as one that puts the users at ease apart from formalising the trend of speaking and writing "correct" English. So what is "correct" English In this chapter that revolves around judgements on good and bad English, we find illustrations galore. Also, the authors have presented a wealth of evidence that proves the variety and diversity of English's forms and functions. The book is packed with maps, manuscripts, texts, photographs, graphs, all manner of fascinating information about the English language and shows that it is an excellent, challenging read for anyone interested in the story of English. In keeping with a study of the article by Simon Jenkin, this comprehensive guide recognised the need to restore the self respect attached to the language through a careful and conscious eradication of phrases or expressions that were typically American, along with clichs and other jargon that have come to be adopted and further modified by various countries the world over in a rather ill formed knowledge of the language. When speaking of the article by Jenkins as an example, the authors outline the various mistakes that the writer has made in using long winding sentences and faulty punctuation, not to mention the fact that he has managed to confuse his grammar completely. What the BBC guide lays down is that here has to more taste when applying the language, even if this borders on being politically correct. With examples like the use f girls instead of the word women and calling Asians and blacks, simply blacks, one will realise that while the author has laid down some general rules, there is still a level of arrogance that needs to be done away with considering that blacks do not in any way constitute the Asian people or that part of the world. Further, there is a the point of how various adjective like "brilliant" have been overused and overrated. Among judgements of bad English, it has been found that there have been various instances where college students have been found grappling with the need to present a proper structure in their sentences and expressions. Even graduates training to apply for teaching jobs enjoy an extremely low score when it comes to correct grammar where they struggle to put words into the correct sequence. And then, there is the matter of spelling. Even with Microsoft Word and its spell checks, one invariably finds spelling mistakes - they're all over. Be it journals, posters, signs outside stores - one simply cannot seem to avoid bumping into a spelling mistake for more than a few consecutive hours. The judgement here is that from a young age, children must be made to practice speaking only in proper English with good spelling capabilities. Accuracy in spelling is of vital importance if one wishes to use a language accurately, and this must be drummed into children's heads from a very young age, on a constant basis. In this context, the author has noted the fact that the actual problem lies with the teacher. It is a well known fact that a teacher has a major role to play in the way a child's life and ideals are shaped considering children spend most f their waking hours in school. A general judgement revolves around the fact that, if the B Ed entrants boast of poor grasp of the language, there is very little hope for the children they are supposed to educate. The scope of these judgements are on a wide platform apart from the fact that they are a good resource when one looks for literature that provides an appropriate blend of useful advice and he dynamics behind making good use of English - but there is more. There may be judgements galore, but the fact remains that the book's colourful, varied contents will no doubt attract students of Linguistics, Literature and everyone interested in the English language. Apart from keeping the jargon to a minimum, the authors have done an excellent job in providing this well researched material and, thus making it accessible and easily understandable for every reader. References Cited: Leith, Dick; Graddol,David; Swann, Joan. English: history, diversity and change. Routledge, England (1996) Read More