Dissertations on the English Language, with Notes, Historical and Critical; / to Which is Added, by Way of Appendix, an Essay on a Reformed Mode of Spelling, With Dr. Franklin's Arguments on that Subject

Name: Dissertations on the English Language, with Notes, Historical and Critical; / to Which is Added, by Way of Appendix, an Essay on a Reformed Mode of Spelling, With Dr. Franklin's Arguments on that Subject
Author: Noah Webster

By Noah Webster

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American Literature Language & Communication

About This Book

A series of scholarly essays and notes investigates English grammar and usage, tracing its structure to Saxon and Teutonic roots and criticizing contemporary grammarians for imposing Latin rules. The author analyzes parts of speech and common prescriptions, questions the necessity of a distinct subjunctive or potential mode, and adopts Horne Tooke's etymological approach to function words. Emphasizing practical usage and analogy over prescriptive fashions, the work proposes a reformed spelling system and appends arguments for that reform contributed by Benjamin Franklin.

About the Author

Noah Webster

Noah Webster (1758-1843) was an American lexicographer, grammarian, and language reformer, best known for his influential works on the English language. He played a pivotal role in standardizing American English, notably through his seminal work, "An American Dictionary of the English Language," which laid the foundation for modern dictionaries. Webster's writings also included essays on moral, historical, and political subjects, reflecting his deep engagement with the cultural and educational issues of his time. His advocacy for a reformed spelling system aimed to simplify and Americanize English, making his contributions significant in both linguistic and educational contexts.