Linguists say that random chance plays a bigger role than previously thought in the evolution of language – but also that ‘English is weird’ The manuscripts pictured show changes from Old English (Beowulf) through Middle English (Trinity Homilies, Chaucer) to Early Modern English (Shakespeare’s First Folio). Photograph: Mitchell Newberry When it comes to changes…
Acknowledgements : The Walrus It’s tempting to mock the way Trump speaks — but doing so plays right into his tiny hands BY SARAH SWEET · NOV. 4, 2016 I am not in a position to vote in the upcoming American election, but I am nevertheless prepared to take a stand:…
Bad English has always been with us, but clarity and style are far more important than observing dusty usage diktats People often ask me why I followed my 2011 book on the history of violence, The Better Angels of Our Nature, with a writing style manual. I like to say that after having written 800…
Quiz: how much of a grammar pedant are you? Know your “it’s” from your “its”? Your “less” from your “fewer”? As a new book makes the case for relaxing our grip on English grammar, try our quiz to find out how you fare Acknowledgements: The Telegraph Oliver Kamm | Accidence Will Happen | W&N 9780297871934…
Government in £9 million payout after single letter blunder causes business to collapse A High Court judge has found Companies House liable for the demise of Taylor & Sons Ltd, after they mistakenly recorded that it had been wound up By Camilla Turner It was a 124-year-old Welsh family business which took five…
At the beginning of the year I joined PEG – The Professional Editors’ Group – and what I didn’t realise at the time was that I would be added to their ’round robin’ PEG-CHAT email notifications/discussions. The other day a query arose regarding the hyphenation or not of [high net worth individuals]. Indeed, the reason…