Letter: An English fit only for elites
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ten years ago I retired to England from the United States, in despair at what my countrymen were doing to the English language, and in the belief that England was the last refuge of the stylistic purist. Now I must conclude that I was mistaken, for the Queen's English is not only fading away but is under attack in primary, secondary and even university teaching. John Honey's eagerness to entertain changes in usage fails to account for two underlying causes for the erosion of Standard English: the mad adoption in this country of American colloquialisms, and the universal ignorance of Latin grammar, upon which English grammar is based.
John McCormick
York
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments