Language attitudes

Here's what's been said: it cannot be a language for schools and education because

(1) it is unstable and changing, and too unregulated, with no proper rules for grammar, spelling and vocabulary;

(2) there is too much variation between the regions;

(3) it is not eloquent but slangy and rude;

(4) it lacks the necessary technical terminology;

(5) it is not an international language and is not understood elsewhere, so students and scholars would be at a disadvantage on the international stage.

Sound familiar? Well, these were the arguments against the English language in favour of Latin, Greek and French. But as William Tyndale said in 1528

They will saye it can not be translated in to oure tonge it is so rude. It is not so rude as they are false lyers

Some references

Algeo, John. 2010. The origins and development of the English language. 6t ed. Boston: Thomson Wadsworth.

Barber, Charler, Beal, Joan A. & Philip A. Shaw. 2009. The English language. A historical introduction. 2nt edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Barber, Charles. 1997. Early Modern English. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press (esp. Ch2: Attitudes to English)

Baugh, Albert C. & Thomas Cable. 2002. A history of the English language. 5t edn. London: Routledge.