The American Language (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. An Inquiry into the Development of English in the United StatesBy H. L. Mencken
Length18h 39m
About this audiobook
H. L. Mencken's The American Language is a vigorous, encyclopedic study of English as spoken and written in the United States, tracing its divergences from British usage in vocabulary, pronunciation, idiom, slang, spelling, and grammar. First published in 1919 and repeatedly expanded, the book combines philological inquiry with journalistic wit, arguing that American English is not a provincial corruption but a living national language shaped by democracy, immigration, commerce, and regional invention. Its style is learned yet combative, placing it within early twentieth-century debates about linguistic authority, cultural independence, and the legitimacy of vernacular expression. Mencken, the Baltimore critic, editor, and satirist, was ideally positioned to write such a work. His career at newspapers and magazines sharpened his ear for public speech, while his skepticism toward genteel tradition made him suspicious of inherited British standards. As a champion of American realism and an adversary of cultural pretension, he saw language as evidence of national character: unruly, inventive, practical, and resistant to official regulation. This book is recommended for readers interested in linguistics, American literature, cultural history, or the politics of usage. Though some judgments reflect its period, its ambition, learning, and bristling prose remain indispensable.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
GenreOther
Length18 hrs 39 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateMay 21, 2021
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
263. Honorifics
2Introduction
274. Euphemisms and Forbidden Words
3Synopsis
28V. Tendencies in American
4Historical Context
292. Points of Difference
5Author Biography
303. Lost Distinctions
Show all chaptersShow less
6Preface
314. Foreign Influences Today
7I. By Way of Introduction
325. Processes of Word Formation
82. The Academic Attitude
336. Pronunciation
93. The View of Writing Men
34VI. The Common Speech
104. Foreign Observers
352. Spoken American As It Is
115. The Characters of American
363. The Verb
126. The Materials of American
374. The Pronoun
13II. The Beginnings of American
385. The Adverb
142. Sources of Early Americanisms
396. The Noun and Adjective
153. New Words of English Material
407. The Double Negative
164. Changed Meanings
418. Pronunciation
175. Archaic English Words
42VII. Differences in Spelling
186. Colonial Pronunciation
432. General Tendencies
19III. The Period of Growth
443. The Influence of Webster
202. The Language in the Making
454. Exchanges
213. The Expanding Vocabulary
465. Simplified Spelling
224. Loan-Words
476. Minor Differences
235. Pronunciation
48VIII. Proper Names in America
24IV. American and English Today
492. Given Names
252. Differences in Usage
503. Geographical Names
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