The American Language: A Preliminary Inquiry Into the Development of English in the United States (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

H. L. Mencken

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0265242479 ISBN 13: 9780265242476

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2017

Synopsis

Discover how American English grew distinct from its British roots and why it matters today.

The American Language offers a clear, wide‑ranging look at how English in the United States has changed in spelling, pronunciation, grammar, and everyday speech. Grounded in careful observation, it traces shifts across regions, time periods, and immigrant influences, showing how the living language mirrors American life.

This edition surveys topics from pronunciation and grammar to slang, names, and everyday vocabulary. It explains why some spellings diverge from British usage and how these differences become widely adopted in American speech and writing.

• How spelling and pronunciation differ between American and British usage
• How American grammar and word choice developed over time
• Regional and immigrant influences on speech and vocabulary
• Examples of American slang, proper names, and geographical terms

Ideal for readers curious about language history, American culture, or the roots of everyday speech.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0265242479
• ISBN 13: 9780265242476
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 510