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Synopsis
Is the English language in decline? Many people seem to think so--but Philip Howard isn't one of them. The Literary Editor of The Times of London, Howard takes a robust, commonsensical view of the changes that are happening in English. His is not the Panglossian attitude that all is neccessarily for the best in the best of all possible languages, but he does feel that change is necessary--and healthy--in any living language.
Howard here examines the language in its various branches and categories, such as grammar and pronunciation, spelling and punctuation, dialect and slang. He discusses the effect the new technologies, from cable TV to photocomposition, are having on the mother tongue, and he examines the new dialects that are coming into use. He navigates the back streets of euphemism and the broad, boring boulevards of cliche. He asks whether the language is actually changing as fast as we suppose, and, if so, why.
Howard argues that as far as we can, we should strive to direct and control the changes in English in ways that increase its power. And where we can't help it, he says, we should lie back and enjoy its immense richness, which is unrivaled by any other language. Rather than have us wring our hands, Philip Howard entreats us, with his customary with and erudition, to use our tongues in concert with our brains.
About the Author:
Philip Howard is the author of New Words for Old, Weasel Words, Words Fail Me, and, most recently, A Word in Your Ear.
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The State of the Language: English Observed
Published by
Oxford University Press (edition First U.S. Edition), 1985
ISBN 10: 0195204670
ISBN 13: 9780195204674
Used
Hardcover
Seller: BooksRun, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. First U.S. Edition. It's a preowned item in good condition and includes all the pages. It may have some general signs of wear and tear, such as markings, highlighting, slight damage to the cover, minimal wear to the binding, etc., but they will not affect the overall reading experience. Seller Inventory # 0195204670-11-1
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The State of the Language: English Observed
Published by
Oxford University Press (edition First U.S. Edition), 1985
ISBN 10: 0195204670
ISBN 13: 9780195204674
Used
Hardcover
Seller: BooksRun, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. First U.S. Edition. It's a preowned item in good condition and includes all the pages. It may have some general signs of wear and tear, such as markings, highlighting, slight damage to the cover, minimal wear to the binding, etc., but they will not affect the overall reading experience. Seller Inventory # 0195204670-11-18
Quantity: 1 available
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The State of the Language: English Observed
Published by
Oxford University Press, 1985
ISBN 10: 0195204670
ISBN 13: 9780195204674
Used
Hardcover
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.01. Seller Inventory # G0195204670I3N10
Quantity: 1 available
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The State of the Language: English Observed
Seller: Crotchety Rancher's Books, Dalton Gardens, ID, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. Light Soiling And Creasing On The Covers, Binding Is Firm And Pages Are Clean. Covers The Finer Points Of The English Language Such As Jargon, Grammar And Clichés To Say The Least. Seller Inventory # 007439
Quantity: 1 available
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The State of the Language: English Observed
Published by
Oxford University Press, 1985
ISBN 10: 0195204670
ISBN 13: 9780195204674
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Basement Seller 101, Cincinnati, OH, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: As New. Seller Inventory # 181117301
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The State Of The Language-English Observed
Published by
Oxford University Press, New York, 1985
ISBN 10: 0195204670
ISBN 13: 9780195204674
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Foxtrot Books, Yankton, SD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Good. Good Condition hard cover 180 pages. Seller Inventory # 024390
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The State of the Language : English Observed
Published by
Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 1985
ISBN 10: 0195204670
ISBN 13: 9780195204674
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Hardcover
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
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Condition: Good. English Language. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 16248109-6
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The State of the Language: English Observed
Published by
Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1984
ISBN 10: 0195204670
ISBN 13: 9780195204674
Used
Paperback
Seller: Priceless Books, Urbana, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 3 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: G+. 180pp. Index. Wear wraps, soiling. Seller Inventory # 213843
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The State of the Language: English Observed
Published by
Oxford University Press, 1985
ISBN 10: 0195204670
ISBN 13: 9780195204674
Used
Softcover
Seller: BookHolders, Towson, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. [ No Hassle 30 Day Returns ][ Ships Daily ] [ Underlining/Highlighting: NONE ] [ Writing: NONE ] [ Edition: First ] Publisher: Oxford University Press Pub Date: 1/1/1985 Binding: Paperback Pages: 180 First edition. Seller Inventory # 6636766
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The State Of The Language
Published by
Oxford University Press, USA, 1985
ISBN 10: 0195204670
ISBN 13: 9780195204674
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Library House Internet Sales, Grand Rapids, OH, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Fair. Dust Jacket Condition: Fair. Examines contemporary English in all of its aspects and discusses the effect that new technologies--from cable TV to photocomposition--are having on the English language Due to age and/or environmental conditions, the pages of this book have darkened. Ex-Libris and is stamped as such. Solid binding. Moderate edgewear on the boards. Please note the image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item. Book. Seller Inventory # 123643143
Quantity: 1 available