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The English language in America

by: Krapp, George Philip, 1872-1934

Publication date: 1925

Topics: English language -- United States, English language -- United States -- History, English language -- Variation, Americanisms, Anglais (Langue) -- États-Unis, Anglais (Langue) -- États-Unis -- Histoire, Anglais (Langue) -- Variation, Anglais (Langue) -- États-Unis -- Idiotismes, English language -- Variation, Americanisms, English language, United States

Publisher: New York : The Century Co., for the Modern Language Association of America

Collection: university_of_illinois_urbana-champaign; americana

Contributor: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Language: English

Volume: v.1

2 volumes ; 23 cm

The life of the English language in America has covered three hundred years, and American English--in reflecting new, complicated developments in social and economic conditions during that time--has experienced some of its most interesting changes. Language changes sporadically, and many things that seem new in American speech are actually old expressions in new surroundings. Examples and illustrations are accompanied by sources and dates, and direct quotation of passages as often as possible. The arguments over the moving forces of language change are not addressed--slang and literary usages are both influences. The American dialect is genuine when it is genuinely used--but who shall say which is the quintessentially genuine?

Volume II Includes bibliographical references (pages 273-284), index of subjects and names, and index of words