Linguistic Correctness: Normative Tendencies in the History of English

The notion of 'correct' as opposed to 'incorrect' language use can be traced throughout the history of English, though some periods have been particularly intent on establishing linguistic norms. This seminar will examine the idea of prescriptivism and its manifestations in programmatic statements, grammars, dictionaries, and usage books. Taking a critical look at the so-called 'complaint tradition', which tends to equate language change with language decay, we will address the question of 'grammaticality' and 'acceptability' in language use – a distinction that has frequently been neglected by prescriptively-minded teachers, scholars and non-professionals with an active interest in linguistic matters.