Codification of correctness: normative sources for Joseph Priestley's grammar1. (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Straaijer, Robin
• Is Part Of: Language & history. Volume 59:Number 1(2016:May)
• Page Start: 14
• Page End: 24
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: historical sociolinguistics -- English -- Joseph Priestley -- normative grammar -- eighteenth century; Linguistics -- History -- Periodicals; 410.9
• DOI: 10.1080/17597536.2016.1176293
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1759-7536

Abstract

Abstract: In this paper, I will discuss possible sources for Priestley's norm of correctness in his grammar book, The Rudiments of English Grammar, from a socio-historical perspective. I will show that Priestley's norms of correctness were informed by the usage of the well-educated middle class, the language of science, Robert Lowth's grammar and the discourse community of eighteenth-century grammarians, and a contemporary canon of good and bad usage.