Preface
1: Bad Language: Realism vs. Relativism
2: Bad Writing
3: Bad Grammar
4: Bad Words
5: Bad Citizens
6: Bad Accents
7: Images and Engagement
Edwin L. Battistella is Dean of Arts and Letters and Professor of English at Southern Oregon University. He is the author of two previous books on grammar and language, including The Logic of Markedness (OUP, 1996).
On Chicago Tribune's Top 10 books on language in 2005: "This book
reminds us that language is the basis of the last acceptable
prejudice: There is no snobbery as safe as looking down your nose
at people for their grammar, vocabulary or accent. As Battistella
shows, this kind of condescension often comes from
misunderstandings and myths about the way language works."--Nathan
Bierma, Chicago Tribune
"Those interested in learning how language evolves will find this
book an informative read."--Publishers Weekly
"Important"--Alex Ross, The Rest Is Noise
"Battistella has indeed identified issues central both to our
society at large and to the American educational system. He shows
us that all too often, what citizens and teachers believe about
language, grammar, and so-called proper English reflects
folk-beliefs from deep in centuries past. These common myths about
the nature of language carry vast ripple effects in how we treat
people and educate our young. In user-friendly and lively terms,
linguist Ed
Battistella explores bad language--a topic both timely and crucial
to our nation."--Rebecca S. Wheeler, Department of English,
Christopher Newport University
"The beauty of this book is that it responds to widely held beliefs
about the nature of language--that there exist fairly monolithic
language standards that people ought to aim for. ... The author of
Bad Language astutely recognizes that these beliefs provide fertile
ground for introducing fundamental perspectives and findings from
linguistic research to students, scholars in other fields, and the
general public."--Carolyn Adger, Center for Applied
Linguistics
On Chicago Tribune's Top 10 books on language in 2005: "This book
reminds us that language is the basis of the last acceptable
prejudice: There is no snobbery as safe as looking down your nose
at people for their grammar, vocabulary or accent. As Battistella
shows, this kind of condescension often comes from
misunderstandings and myths about the way language works."--Nathan
Bierma, Chicago Tribune
"Important"--Alex Ross, The Rest Is Noise
"Battistella has indeed identified issues central both to our
society at large and to the American educational system. He shows
us that all too often, what citizens and teachers believe about
language, grammar, and so-called proper English reflects
folk-beliefs from deep in centuries past. These common myths about
the nature of language carry vast ripple effects in how we treat
people and educate our young. In user-friendly and lively terms,
linguist Ed
Battistella explores bad language--a topic both timely and crucial
to our nation."--Rebecca S. Wheeler, Department of English,
Christopher Newport University
"The beauty of this book is that it responds to widely held beliefs
about the nature of language--that there exist fairly monolithic
language standards that people ought to aim for. ... The author of
Bad Language astutely recognizes that these beliefs provide fertile
ground for introducing fundamental perspectives and findings from
linguistic research to students, scholars in other fields, and the
general public."--Carolyn Adger, Center for Applied
Linguistics
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