A few weeks ago, I recommended an article where the writer claimed the English language was a “bully,” elbowing out other languages and dialects. While I don’t agree with the descriptor “bully,” I did think the writer made some interesting points and had a good take on the issue. Here’s another article about the position • Read More »
Archives: English language
H.L. Mencken and The American Language: the writer defends his native tongue
May 23, 2018 | By Jim Stovall | No Comments | Filed in: journalism.
H.L. Mencken, writer and journalist, comes to mind when the American public or American culture needs criticism and a bit of biting satire. He knew how to do that and did it better during this 40-plus-year as a newspaper columnist and magazine editor than anyone else. He did it so well that we forget that • Read More »
The Digital Reader: 8 Common Phrases that You May Be Getting Wrong; plus a bit from JPROF
January 23, 2018 | By Jim Stovall | No Comments | Filed in: journalism, writing.Nate Hoffelder, the Digital Reader, gives us – at a quick glance – eight phrases that we might be getting wrong. They’re all packaged neatly in a simple infographic. The phrases: for all intensive purposes (my personal favorite) reign in baited breath sneak peak mute point case and point extract revenge peaked my curiosity Hoffelder leaves • Read More »
A bit of wisdom from Henry Watson Fowler
January 5, 2018 | By Jim Stovall | No Comments | Filed in: books, writers, writing.
Fowler’s Dictionary of Modern English Usage is still one of the best references for those interested in how the language is used.
Another reader on free expression; Anger as temporary madness
November 9, 2017 | By Jim Stovall | No Comments | Filed in: newsletter.This newsletter was sent to all those on Jim’s newsletter list (3,873) on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017. Hi, Where did English come from? The origins of English are many and varied. If you don’t know much about it, there’s a great sub-five-minute video from Open Culture embedded at the top of the JPROF.com website. Gardening is a year-round activity: I spent • Read More »