Doctrine of Correctness in English Usage: 1700-1800

"The Doctrine of Correctness in English Usage 1700-1800" is a definitive scholarly examination of the evolution of linguistic standards during a pivotal century for the English language. This work delves into the origins of prescriptive grammar, exploring how the ideals of the Enlightenment and the Age of Reason shaped the ways in which 18th-century writers, critics, and grammarians sought to codify and improve their mother tongue.

Sterling Andrus Leonard provides a meticulous analysis of the theories and prejudices that governed language use during this era. The book identifies the rise of the doctrine of correctness-a movement that prioritized logic, analogy, and authority over historical usage. By examining the works of influential figures and the proliferation of grammar books and dictionaries, Leonard illuminates how the concept of a correct way to speak and write was constructed and enforced.

Essential for students of linguistics, history, and rhetoric, "The Doctrine of Correctness in English Usage 1700-1800" offers invaluable insight into the cultural and intellectual forces that define modern English usage. It remains a foundational text for understanding the tensions between descriptive and prescriptive approaches to language, tracing the roots of contemporary debates back to their 18th-century foundations.

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