The Lexicographer's Dilemma: The Evolution of 'Proper' English, from Shakespeare to South Park

A learned yet accessible book on the modern history of the English language, which gloriously has resisted true standardization to this day -- which allows it to remain alive and to be enjoyed by George Carlin no less than William Safire. Explains the tension between "norma loquendi" and the "King's English", between the descriptive and the prescriptive. I particularly enjoyed the deep dive into the nature of certain iconic grammatical "rules", how they came to be, and why they are usually ill-founded. Usage is what ultimately matters, and Henry Watson Fowler's (and his followers, such as Strunk and White) instructions to be direct, simple, brief, vigorous and lucid can hardly be improved on. Lynch provides us with five grounds to show more object to a word, phrase or usage: taste, authority, etymology, analogy, and logic. Always appropriate to keep in mind when speaking or writing. show less

What is a dictionary for? Is it for people that want to "open a dictionary when they encounter a word they don't know, or aren't sure they know, and want to know how it's being used"? Or is it for people that want to "open a dictionary when they have to *use* words and aren't sure how they'll be received"? This is the lexicographer's dilemma: if you write a dictionary to be used one way you don't necessarily serve people who want to use it the other way. So which kind of dictionary should a lexicographer write?

Jack Lynch traces the history of dictionaries of English, focusing on the tension between the two approaches, and on the personalities of the people who wrote them. Along the way he asks the questions: "what does *proper* English show more mean, and who gets to say what's right?"

In the struggle between prescriptivists and descriptivists, Lynch doesn't make a secret of where he stands. "The same impulse has led many ill-tempered grouches to send angry letters to magazines and newspapers." "The linguistic conservatives have ... mistaken language change for language decay."

His analysis of the controversy over *Webster's Third New International Dictionary* is especially insightful. Essentially, Lynch concludes, Gove was wrong, his critics were "wronger".

The book is written for the intelligent layman, free of linguistic and lexicographic jargon, but not dumbed down. show less

The dilemma of the title is the conflict between the lexicographer's duty to describe language as it is actually used, and the public's demand for rules and direction in English usage. Lynch exposes the frustrated will-to-power of prescriptivist grammarians, pundits, mavens, and language reformers of all periods--along with the egalitarian naivete of descriptivist lexicographers.

The approach is historical, with a preamble regarding the origins of human language and the beginnings of English, and then an evenly-paced coverage from the 17th century into the 21st, most often through biographical lenses. There is attention to both British and American English, as well as reflection on the further global spread of the language. The final show more chapter discusses the current stresses, mutations, and creativity resulting from technological change and globalization, while a penultimate chapter delves into linguistic obscenity as a special topic.

The style is accessible throughout, both assuming and encouraging the curiosity of the reader. This book should be enjoyable to any reader of English who cares about the language, and as Lynch seems to demonstrate, that's just about any reader of English. show less

Have you ever wondered why split infinitives and sentence-ending prepositions were forbidden by grammar books? Maybe you're more curious about dictionaries and their history of recording, and sometimes making judgments about, the language. Jack Lynch covers all this and more in The Lexicographer's Dilemma, a history of all those rules (grammar, spelling, etc.) about our native language that we had to study at school - or, as he more succinctly puts it, "the evolution of 'proper' English."

That's not to say that he's making fun of these rules, though on the occasions he does, it's very entertaining. Generally Lynch takes a balanced approach, recognizing the need to learn and know standard English for writing at school, work, and other show more situations, while recognizing and even celebrating the natural changes made in language as years go by. His chapter on eighteenth century grammarians really bring this balance to light. Some pile on these men all the faults of trying to force English into a Latin mode with such rules as "don't split an infinitive." Actually, Lynch argues, many of these rules did not begin in the 18th century - and the three big names in grammar were not strictly lay-down-the-law types. He quotes from many sources at length to prove his points, and I've made note of a few more books I want to read in the future. show less

I'll admit it: I'm a word-nerd. But even if you're not the sort of person who reads Fowler for fun, there's much here to delight anyone who loves language. If you've ever wondered what that "p" is doing in "receipt", or argued with a friend over the status of "ain't", you're sure to enjoy this book.

The "dilemma" in the title refers to the tension between descriptive and prescriptive approaches to English usage and grammar: between documenting the way English is actually written or spoken and enforcing someone's idea of "proper" English. Although he's also the author of The English Language: A User's Guide, Lynch is no narrow-minded prescriptivist. As he writes in the concluding chapter: "Speaking and writing our own language shouldn't show more be a chore; we should resist all attempts to make us feel ashamed of speaking the way the rest of the world speaks." At the same time, Lynch treats the oft-maligned "18th-century grammarians" fairly, presenting them as more than caricatures and giving historical context for their efforts.

The Lexicographer's Dilemma is fascinating because it touches on so many subjects in the course of exploring this central theme: from the great dictionaries and the people who edited them to the vagaries of English orthography and the many, futile attempts to reform it; from Dryden and Swift to George Carlin. Though I found the final three chapters less interesting (and a bit preachy), I found most of the book as gripping as a well-plotted novel. I also learned a great deal, despite a life-long fascination with the subject matter and a shelf full of similar books. Finally, Lynch's own writing is clear and full of good humor.

Lynch covers much ground in under 300 pages, but I did find one omission surprising: although he discusses split infinitives and sentence-ending prepositions, he remains silent on the ever-controversial third-person indefinite singular pronoun. A balanced, informed discussion of the history behind "he" vs. "they" would make a valuable addition to the book.

In short: here's a book about English that's more fun than a barrel full of monkeys typing Shakespeare! show less

"Words, words, words." - Hamlet

Thus Hamlet answered Polonius' question as to what he was reading. Our reading can range from the sublimity of Beckett's arid yet vivid prose to the Rabelaisian abundance of words, bordering on the ridiculous, that one finds in books like Infinite Jest. In The Lexicographer's Dilemma, an all too short book considering the subject, Jack Lynch attempts an history of the English language - a history of words. His focus is on what is considered "proper" English and who gets to say what words are in or out. He discusses the rules that have been developed over the years and investigates their history. In doing so he discovers that behind every word is a human shadow in the form of a story about people who shaped show more our language. In the realm of dictionaries the most influential person chronicled is James A. H. Murray, but Samuel Johnson and Noah Webster also have leading roles. Many others including scientists like Joseph Priestley, poets like John Dryden, dramatists such as Shakespeare and George Bernard Shaw and many others all have a contribute to this history. I found the journey through history enjoyable primarily because I am an omnivorous reader who would respond to Polonius' question just as Hamlet did with the response -- Words, words, words. show less

Every book on language that I read becomes my favorite of the genre, simply because of my passion for language, words, etymologies, and the like. However, this stands out as a clear champion for several reasons. Firstly, he absolutely stays on message of the subtitle on the book. There's a tremendous focus from which the author does not veer. Secondly, and this represents a huge bias on my part, he lays to rest so many of the curiosities of various head-scratching spellings endemic in the language. For me, he settled them, and I couldn't be more thrilled. Thirdly, his pertinent histories of the relevant subjects are concise, illuminating and never overwritten. Fourth, he absolutely accepts all evolutions with grace, forgoing the panic show more in our culture when definitions and usage change. They're so supposed to. I get that now. Finally, in the closing pages, he reveals something I've believed for a long time - enhancing my bias: that the word "whom" will die in the next century. This should be standard reading in all English college courses. show less