In the first place, dictionaries with standardized and regulated words will help us maintain “conventions of usage” (Bryson, 1990, p.151). “We must agree to spell cat c-a-t and not e-l-e-p-h-a-n-t, and we must agree that by that word we mean a small furry quadruped that goes meow and sits comfortably on one’s lap and not a large lumbering beast that grows tusks and is exceeding difficult to housebreak” (Bryson, 1990, p.150). We seem to have so many names for the same items. Sub sandwich’s can be called “Hoagie,” “grinder,” or “po-boy” (MacNeil, 2005). If you have each of these listed in the dictionary how are we going to know where it is acceptable to use these words? Dictionaries have been getting away from being the protectors of
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Without the standardized dictionary and all of its words, Malcolm X would not have become the great person he ended up being. With his self taught education he was able to be a driving force for the right of African Americans and someone that is looked upon with respect by many. Having standardized words in our dictionary allowed Malcolm X and the rest of us to use the English language correctly. If he had used words not considered to be standard, English he may have not reached as wide of an audience as he …show more content…
In 1664 a committee was formed to improve how English was spoken, in 1712 a proposal was written for improving English and then in 1780 during the Revolutionary war John Adams wrote to the president asking him to set up an academy to improve the English language (Bryson, 1990). The divide seems equal between those that believe an academy is warranted and those that believe it wouldn’t do any good. Whichever side you are on it should be clear that some specific rules are needed for our language and providing a standard dictionary is a great first step. Speaking the English language is something we learn just like we learn other things. Street talk and slang may be acceptable speech when you are hanging out with your friends at your home, but this type of speech should not be considered acceptable in the business
Without the standardized dictionary and all of its words, Malcolm X would not have become the great person he ended up being. With his self taught education he was able to be a driving force for the right of African Americans and someone that is looked upon with respect by many. Having standardized words in our dictionary allowed Malcolm X and the rest of us to use the English language correctly. If he had used words not considered to be standard, English he may have not reached as wide of an audience as he …show more content…
In 1664 a committee was formed to improve how English was spoken, in 1712 a proposal was written for improving English and then in 1780 during the Revolutionary war John Adams wrote to the president asking him to set up an academy to improve the English language (Bryson, 1990). The divide seems equal between those that believe an academy is warranted and those that believe it wouldn’t do any good. Whichever side you are on it should be clear that some specific rules are needed for our language and providing a standard dictionary is a great first step. Speaking the English language is something we learn just like we learn other things. Street talk and slang may be acceptable speech when you are hanging out with your friends at your home, but this type of speech should not be considered acceptable in the business