Language Anarchy

By Allan Metcalf. What happens when a language is cast adrift? When there is no one to keep the language in line? As we all know, these aren’t idle questions for the English language today. True, there are countless software programs, books, websites, teachers, editors, and just plain busybodies straining to keep our language within bounds. They endeavor to make sure the sign in a supermarket reads “15 items or fewer” instead of “15 items or less; to make sure it is whom you are addressing, but who addresses; to make sure that it’s a fine day because of its weather, and between you and me, someone among the three of us knows the answer. More...