Table of Contents

Introduction: does prescriptivism fail?; 1. Prescriptivism's umbrella: standards, style, restoration, and political intervention; 2. Prescriptivism's lessons: scope and 'The history of English'; 3. Checking grammar and grammar checkers; 4. Dictionaries and the idea of 'real words'; 5. Non-sexist language reform and its effects; 6. Reappropriation and challenges to institutionalized prescriptivism; 7. Finding shared ground: public conversations about prescriptivism.

Promotional Information

Anne Curzan presents a pioneering new definition of prescriptivism as a linguistic phenomenon.

About the Author

Anne Curzan is Professor of English in the Department of English Language and Literature at the University of Michigan.

Reviews

'Anne Curzan takes prescriptivism seriously; this informative, engaging and readable book deserves serious attention from anyone with an interest in the history - or the future - of English.' Deborah Cameron, University of Oxford

'This is the most sensible study I have read of the urge to fix and regulate the English language. Anne Curzan is one of the most accomplished historical linguists at work today, and Fixing English represents a clear and effective case for why, like it or not, 'prescriptivism' has always been with us.' Seth Lerer, University of California, San Diego