Standard English: The Widening Debate

Paperback

Main Details

Title Standard English: The Widening Debate
Authors and Contributors      Edited by Tony Bex
Edited by Richard J. Watts
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback
Pages:324
Dimensions(mm): Height 234,Width 156
Category/Genrelinguistics
Languages
ISBN/Barcode 9780415191630
ClassificationsDewey:428
Audience
Undergraduate
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Professional & Vocational
Illustrations 23 line figures

Publishing Details

Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint Routledge
Publication Date 18 February 1999
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

The debates surrounding 'Standard English', grammar and correctness are as intense today as ever and extend far beyond an academic context. Standard English: the widening debate draws together leading international scholars who confront the issues head on. Current deabtes about the teaching of English in the school curriculum and more general concerns about declining standards of English are placed in a historical, social and international context. Standard English: * traces the notion of 'Standard English' from its roots in the practices of late 17th century grammarians, through succeeding centuries to the present day * explores the definitions of 'Standard English', with particular attention paid to distinctions between spoken and written English * demonstrate that 'Standard English' is viewed very differently in the US and reveals how it is used as a marker for different forms of social discrimination, and draws on similar issues such as the English Only movement and Ebonics. Standard English: the widening debate is an accessible, seminal work which clarifies an increasingly confused topic. It is therefore essential reading for students of English, and English in Education, and will also appeal to anyone with an active interest in the English Language. Tony Bex, Ronald Carter, Jenny Cheshire, Tony Crowley, Hayley Davis, Laura C. Hartley, Jim Milroy, Lesley Milroy, Bent Preisler, Dennis R. Preston, Peter Trudgill and Richard J. Watts

Author Biography

Tony Bex is at the University of Kent. His previous publications includes Variety of Written English (1996). Richard J. Watts is at the University of Bern.