The American Language A Preliminary Inquiry into the Development of English in the United States

A seasoned newspaper editor turned linguistic investigator, the author spends decades tuning his ear to the subtle ways American speech diverges from its British counterpart. He notes distinct vocabularies, spelling quirks, and even rhythm in everyday conversation, prompting a curiosity that outgrows casual observation. The opening pages set the stage for a systematic look at how the language of the United States has evolved.

Frustrated by the scant, often inaccurate studies of his time, he gathered articles, letters, and firsthand examples from both sides of the Atlantic to forge a clearer picture. The work offers a candid assessment of earlier dictionaries, highlights gaps in the study of American pronunciation and grammar, and proposes a framework for future, more rigorous scholarship. Listeners will find a thoughtful, honest inquiry that maps the early contours of a living, changing tongue.