Questions at Issue in Our English Speech

A lively collection of essays, this work invites listeners to explore the quirks and history of the English language. Beginning with a thoughtful look at how written symbols imperfectly capture spoken words, it highlights the many oddities and inconsistencies that still puzzle us today. The author traces the evolution from ancient tongues to modern speech, showing why even celebrated writers like Shakespeare sound foreign to contemporary ears.

The subsequent essays tackle everyday questions: why we prefer certain spellings, who decides pronunciation standards, and what truly counts as slang. Readers will also hear a balanced comparison of British and American usages, and a surprisingly graceful discussion of “vulgarisms” that have earned respectable pedigrees over time. By weaving together historical insight with clear, engaging examples, the book offers a fresh perspective on the living, ever‑shifting nature of English—perfect for anyone curious about the words they speak and write.