Language. like humans, is destined to change. If it's straight-jacketed in a prescriptive grammar, like Latin or Sanskrit, it is bound to die. Upward movement over time, geographical spread are the main reasons for this change and the eventual birth of new dialects and languages. Today, we are in a new normal, where adaptation is the catchphrase. The adaptive tendency is inbuilt in all humans as we live in a perennially changing world and every aspect of human life. Language, therefore, is the only vehicle of communication of the realities of changes over time and geography. Hene, one need not wonder over the variety of usage in English, where usage is given preference than strict grammar.
Time was when language conveyed the importance of patriarchy, monarchy, caste system, class, and the like. In today's egalitarian societies, there's a new democracy of linguistic reign. It's good for all.
As a teacher of this language all my life, I have realized that my long-held knowledge is now anathema to the millennials. Seldom do In understand their very own lingo. But then, that's how language
Congratulations on completing your book and on keeping your passion for World English alive!
As an academic who has taught literature in the English language (sometimes known as Anglophone literature), I have observed the slight changes in the canon that happened when what is known as Postcolonial Literature or World Literature was incorporated into Departments of English. Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" has become canonical but the gate-keeping mentality has remained unshaken.
Language. like humans, is destined to change. If it's straight-jacketed in a prescriptive grammar, like Latin or Sanskrit, it is bound to die. Upward movement over time, geographical spread are the main reasons for this change and the eventual birth of new dialects and languages. Today, we are in a new normal, where adaptation is the catchphrase. The adaptive tendency is inbuilt in all humans as we live in a perennially changing world and every aspect of human life. Language, therefore, is the only vehicle of communication of the realities of changes over time and geography. Hene, one need not wonder over the variety of usage in English, where usage is given preference than strict grammar.
Time was when language conveyed the importance of patriarchy, monarchy, caste system, class, and the like. In today's egalitarian societies, there's a new democracy of linguistic reign. It's good for all.
As a teacher of this language all my life, I have realized that my long-held knowledge is now anathema to the millennials. Seldom do In understand their very own lingo. But then, that's how language
Congratulations on completing your book and on keeping your passion for World English alive!
As an academic who has taught literature in the English language (sometimes known as Anglophone literature), I have observed the slight changes in the canon that happened when what is known as Postcolonial Literature or World Literature was incorporated into Departments of English. Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" has become canonical but the gate-keeping mentality has remained unshaken.