Says Who? audiobook cover - A Kinder, Funner Usage Guide for Everyone Who Cares About Words

Says Who?

A Kinder, Funner Usage Guide for Everyone Who Cares About Words

Anne Curzan

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Says Who?
Approach to Language+
The Myth of Objective Rules+
Inclusive Language & Power+
Semantic Shifts & Evolution+
Mechanics of Good Writing+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
What does the author mean by finding a middle ground between an "inner grammando" and an "inner wordie"?
  • A. Balancing the urge to correct others' grammar with a fascination for how language evolves.
  • B. Alternating between formal written English and casual spoken dialects depending on the audience.
  • C. Using traditional grammar rules for formal writing but ignoring them in casual speech.
  • D. Accepting that all grammar rules are obsolete while still valuing clear communication.
Question 2 of 8
Why is the argument against using "impact" as a verb based on a false premise?
  • A. The American Heritage Dictionary Usage Panel officially approved its use in 2001.
  • B. "Impact" has historically been used as a verb in English longer than it has been a noun.
  • C. The Modern Language Association recently updated its guidelines to allow the figurative verb form.
  • D. "Impact" is originally a Latin noun that inherently functions as a verb in English translations.
Question 3 of 8
According to the text, what is the underlying issue at the heart of debates over "politically correct" or inclusive language?
  • A. The constant conflict between academic terminology and everyday slang.
  • B. The attempt by government institutions to censor free speech and expression.
  • C. The question of who holds the power to call the shots and determine linguistic rules.
  • D. The loss of historical meanings of words due to modern sensitivities.
Question 4 of 8
Why do the comparative words "funner" and "funnest" still sound strange or incorrect to many English speakers?
  • A. They violate the rule that single-syllable words cannot take "-er" or "-est" suffixes.
  • B. "Fun" only recently transitioned into being used as an adjective, so people are more accustomed to its noun forms.
  • C. They were officially banned by prescriptive grammarians in the eighteenth century.
  • D. "Fun" is an absolute state, similar to "unique," meaning it cannot have degrees of comparison.
Question 5 of 8
What is a major grammatical reason why the word "whom" is falling out of use in modern English?
  • A. Modern English relies heavily on word order, and placing an object pronoun like "whom" at the beginning of a question confuses our brains.
  • B. The Modern Language Association officially declared "whom" obsolete in 2018.
  • C. "Whom" is a leftover from Old English that cannot be properly conjugated with modern verbs.
  • D. People no longer understand the difference between a direct object and an indirect object.
Question 6 of 8
What conclusion does the author reach regarding strict punctuation rules, such as the mandatory use or omission of the Oxford comma?
  • A. They are absolute truths that must be followed to prevent catastrophic miscommunications.
  • B. They are arbitrary conventions established by editors, and writers could benefit from being more flexible and playful with them.
  • C. They should be entirely abolished because modern readers rely on context rather than punctuation.
  • D. They must be strictly standardized across all platforms to maintain the integrity of the English language.
Question 7 of 8
How does adhering to the "known-new contract" help prevent writing from feeling "choppy"?
  • A. By ensuring that every sentence introduces a completely new and unrelated topic to keep the reader engaged.
  • B. By replacing complex, multi-syllable words with simpler, more familiar vocabulary.
  • C. By starting sentences with familiar information and progressing logically to new ideas.
  • D. By strictly alternating between short, simple sentences and long, complex sentences.
Question 8 of 8
What is the likely historical origin of the "rule" against starting sentences with conjunctions like "and" or "but"?
  • A. English teachers wanted to steer students away from stringing short sentences together, which mirrored their natural speaking habits.
  • B. The invention of the printing press required standardized sentence structures to save ink and space.
  • C. Eighteenth-century grammarians found that conjunctions disrupted the "known-new contract" of formal writing.
  • D. Old English lacked conjunctions entirely, making their placement at the beginning of sentences a modern error.

Says Who? — Full Chapter Overview

Says Who? Summary & Overview

Says Who? (2024) is an insightful examination of the complex and ever-evolving nature of language. It explores how perceptions, norms, and social forces shape the way we use and understand language, and how these dynamics impact communication across various contexts. Ultimately, it challenges readers to reexamine their assumptions about “correct” language and consider the nuanced role language plays in shaping identity, culture, and society.

Who Should Listen to Says Who??

  • Students and educators in linguistics, language studies, or communication fields
  • Writers, journalists, and content creators
  • Lifelong learners interested in the intricacies of the English language

About the Author: Anne Curzan

Ann Curzan is a linguist and professor at the University of Michigan, where she also serves as the dean of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. She writes about language for the blog Lingua Franca for the Chronicle of Higher Education and for the column “Talking About Words” in Michigan Today. As a member of the American Heritage Dictionary Usage Panel and the American Dialect, she helps to gauge the acceptability of usages of words and grammatical constructions as well as voting on the Word of the Year.

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