The Emergence of Standard English
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Overview
Language scholars have traditionally agreed that the development of the English language was largely unplanned. Fisher challenges this view, demonstrating that the standardization of writing and pronunciation was, and still is, made under the control of political and intellectual forces."
Synopsis
"Language scholars have traditionally agreed that the development of the English language was largely unplanned. Fisher challenges this view, demonstrating that the standardization of writing and pronunciation was, and still is, made under the control of political and intellectual forces."
Booknews
In nine essays written over the course of 20 years, Fisher (English, U. of Tennessee) challenges the view that the development of the English language was unplanned, looking at the role of royal and bureaucratic initiatives in standardization of writing and pronunciation in 15th-century England. He chronicles the impact of political decisions, and discusses the development of Chancery practices and Caxton's use of Chancery Standard. Paper edition (unseen), $14.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Editorials
From the Publisher
"There is much to interest scholars of late Middle English language and literature." -- Journal of English and Germanic Philology
"Fisher's argument about Chancery English in the fifteenth century deserves to be widely known." -- Speculum
"The coherence of the story that Fisher traces and the archival materials that he has provided will continue to stimulate scholarly investigation and discovery." -- Studies in the Age of Chaucer