Go to Hachette Book Group home

Search

Site Preferences

Show prices in:

By clicking “Accept,” you agree to the use of cookies and similar technologies on your device as set forth in our Cookie Policy and our Privacy Policy. Please note that certain cookies are essential for this website to function properly and do not require user consent to be deployed.

Word On The Street

Debunking The Myth Of A Pure Standard English

Word On The Street Open the full-size image

Contributors

By John Mcwhorter

Formats and Prices

Price

$11.99

Price

$15.99 CAD

Format

Format:

  1. ebook $11.99 $15.99 CAD
  2. Trade Paperback $21.99 $28.99 CAD

Also available from:

Though there is a contingent of linguists who fight the fact, our language is always changing — not only through slang, but sound, syntax, and words’ meanings as well. Debunking the myth of “pure” standard English, tackling controversial positions, and eschewing politically correct arguments, linguist John McWhorter considers speech patterns and regional accents to demonstrate just how the changes do occur. Wielding reason and humor, McWhorter ultimately explains why we must embrace these changes, ultimately revealing our American English in all its variety, expressiveness, and power.

Genre:

On Sale
Mar 6, 2009
Page Count
302 pages
Publisher
Basic Books
ISBN-13
9780786731473

You May Also Like

Ascent of the A-Word
Ascent of the A-Word $9.99 $12.99 CAD
The Years of Talking Dangerously
The Years of Talking Dangerously $12.99 $16.99 CAD
The Atoms Of Language
The Atoms Of Language $18.99 $23.99 CAD
The Language Imperative
The Language Imperative $21.99 $28.99 CAD
Romaine Wasn't Built in a Day
Romaine Wasn't Built in a Day $26.00 $33.00 CAD

John Mcwhorter

About the Author

John McWhorter is Assistant Professor of Linguistics at the University of California at Berkeley. A specialist in pidgin and Creole languages, he lives in Oakland, California.

Learn more about this author