Grammar: Rules and Myths

Rules of the English Language Rule #1: English is always changing Olde English: The British Empire: Immigration to America: Germany Hungary Poland Rust Belt Factories Scotland Appalachian Mountains Sheep Ireland Boston Rule #2: English adapts to the needs of its speakers Two needs: 1. Technology Car Computer Mouse Email Wifi iPad 2. Slang Dude Rad pwned H.A.M. Rule #3: English wants to be efficient MPG = ? Most ideas in fewest words, even sounds Thou Thee Ye You You Cannot can’t jk LOL WTF? 2 u Rule #4: Powerful rich guys will insist there's a "correct" way to use English Everybody speaks a dialect: Your dialect is a result of your surroundings: Geographical Cultural Southern Highlands Speech (Hillbilly English) Black American English Vernacular (Ebonics) http://aschmann.net/AmEng/ Describe a powerful rich guy: Type of Job? Educated? Style of Dress? Type of House? Family History? How are his Teeth? Middle English: Early Modern English: England got good at two things: Building ships Trading slaves USA! USA! Most Americans aren't originally from America... When people came here, they stuck close to their home culture... English was only spoken in England. Until... Questions? Standard American English What's his dialect? a/k/a "Proper" English Governed by rules Changes with the times Gatekeeper Password: Proper English Proper English Recipe Book? SFH