If you’re the person who would consider buying the shirt sold on Amazon that’s embellished with the words “misuse of literally makes me figuratively insane,” then you might want to look for a book that explores the ways English changes in a more traditional rather than fluid way like in John McWhorter’s Words on the Move: Why English Won’t- and Can’t- Sit Still (Like, Literally). However, one may find that this may be exactly the book the grammar stickler needs in order to truly see the way that not only English, the written language, but also English, the means of communication, has evolved. John McWhorter breaks down stigmas of modern slang, use of filler words, and even sometimes misuse of specific terms to demonstrate how English has become a much more personal and ever-changing language through these grammatical “no-no’s.” Throughout his work, McWhorter encourages all English speakers to see the language we use everyday as a phase in history rather than a grammatical puzzle with rigid edges. In doing this, he’s able to describe the pragmatics of language and how most people can’t define words such as the adverb “well,” despite its frequency and prevalence in everyday language. This is an example of the infinite number of occurrences where words “start out showing what we mean, but end up showing how we feel” (McWhorter 12). Based on this idea, he assembles his argument for why colloquial and informal language, in its many forms, isn’t nonsense and should never simply be dismissed. He even touches base on how linguistic aspects such as these can carry cultural significance, like the dialect of “black English” where different grammatical uses and terms are used in exchanging familiarity within the black community. Thus, he’s able to convince the reader that language that seems to lack elegance in grammar actually communicates a high degree of intimacy, which is what gives life to everyday communication. Having read several works on linguistics, I’ve noticed that McWhorter definitely takes an unorthodox approach to discussing language in his recognition and appreciation of the small and informal parts of language that tend to be left behind in analysis. Thus, in the realm of linguistics, this is a unique and thought-provoking subject that is hardly elaborated on to this extent. Despite his focus on slang, filler words, and other elements of speech that are usually perceived to lack substance, his discussion of the topic consists of extremely complex analysis in order to fully convey the unexpected weight these parts of English include. Therefore, there are certain concepts that will take several tries to wrap one’s head around, which requires time and patience. However, taking time to invest in reading Words on the Move is definitely rewarding and will change the way one uses and perceives the language we’re all still learning today.
John McWhorter breaks down stigmas of modern slang, use of filler words, and even sometimes misuse of specific terms to demonstrate how English has become a much more personal and ever-changing language through these grammatical “no-no’s.” Throughout his work, McWhorter encourages all English speakers to see the language we use everyday as a phase in history rather than a grammatical puzzle with rigid edges. In doing this, he’s able to describe the pragmatics of language and how most people can’t define words such as the adverb “well,” despite its frequency and prevalence in everyday language. This is an example of the infinite number of occurrences where words “start out showing what we mean, but end up showing how we feel” (McWhorter 12). Based on this idea, he assembles his argument for why colloquial and informal language, in its many forms, isn’t nonsense and should never simply be dismissed. He even touches base on how linguistic aspects such as these can carry cultural significance, like the dialect of “black English” where different grammatical uses and terms are used in exchanging familiarity within the black community. Thus, he’s able to convince the reader that language that seems to lack elegance in grammar actually communicates a high degree of intimacy, which is what gives life to everyday communication.
Having read several works on linguistics, I’ve noticed that McWhorter definitely takes an unorthodox approach to discussing language in his recognition and appreciation of the small and informal parts of language that tend to be left behind in analysis. Thus, in the realm of linguistics, this is a unique and thought-provoking subject that is hardly elaborated on to this extent. Despite his focus on slang, filler words, and other elements of speech that are usually perceived to lack substance, his discussion of the topic consists of extremely complex analysis in order to fully convey the unexpected weight these parts of English include. Therefore, there are certain concepts that will take several tries to wrap one’s head around, which requires time and patience. However, taking time to invest in reading Words on the Move is definitely rewarding and will change the way one uses and perceives the language we’re all still learning today.