Taming the Tongue in the Heyday of English Grammar (1711-1851)

Bryan A. Garner's new book, Taming the Tongue in the Heyday of English Grammar (1711–1851), explores the contentious and opinionated grammarians of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, revealing their controversies and fiery histories. The book includes nearly five hundred color illustrations and scholarly rigor with lively anecdotes, shedding light on the disputes and unexpected histories of English grammatical disputes.

Format: Hardback
Length: 302 pages
Publication date: 13 September 2022
Publisher: Grolier Club of New York

The history of English grammar is a fascinating and often contentious subject, with debates raging over various aspects of the language. In his new book, Taming the Tongue in the Heyday of English Grammar (1711–1851), Bryan A. Garner delves into the controversies and fraught histories that accompanied efforts to regularize English grammar during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Garner's book is a rich and detailed exploration of the period, with nearly five hundred color illustrations that bring the primers of the time to life in ways that their concerned and idiosyncratic authors might not have envisioned.

The entries in Taming the Tongue are packed with scrupulously recorded information on the content and publication details of the primers, as well as tantalizing tales from the authors' lives. Garner combines scholarly rigor with lively anecdotes, shedding light on the controversies and unexpectedly fiery histories of English grammatical disputes.

One of the most interesting aspects of Garner's book is his examination of the personalities and backgrounds of the grammarians of the period. He reveals that they were a surprisingly contentious and opinionated lot, with many holding strong beliefs about the proper way to teach and use English grammar. The debates that raged among them were often heated and passionate, with grammarians on both sides of the issue fiercely defending their positions.

Garner also explores the social and cultural contexts in which the grammarians operated. He shows that the efforts to regularize English grammar were closely tied to the broader social and cultural changes that were taking place in England during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The rise of print culture, the increasing importance of education, and the growth of national identity all played a role in shaping the debates over English grammar.

Another notable aspect of Garner's book is his use of primary sources. He includes a wide range of primary materials, such as letters, diaries, and essays, that provide insight into the thoughts and experiences of the grammarians of the period. These sources allow Garner to paint a vivid picture of the controversies and the personalities involved, and they provide a deeper understanding of the historical context in which the grammarians operated.

Overall, Taming the Tongue in the Heyday of English Grammar is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of English grammar. Bryan A. Garner's book is a rich and detailed exploration of the period, with lively anecdotes and scholarly rigor that shed light on the controversies and fiery histories of English grammatical disputes. By examining the personalities and backgrounds of the grammarians, the social and cultural contexts in which they operated, and the primary sources that they used, Garner provides a comprehensive and engaging account of a surprisingly combative period in the history of English grammar.

Weight: 1108g
Dimension: 255 x 201 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781605830926