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Joseph Priestley, grammarian : late modern English normativism and usage in a sociohistorical context / door [i.e. by] Robin Straaijer

Author
Straaijer, Robin, 1973-
Published
Utrecht, The Netherlands : LOT, [2011]
Copyright Date
©2011
Physical Description
vi, 436 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.
Additional Creators
Landelijke Onderzoekschool Taalwetenschap

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Language Note
With a summary in Dutch.
Summary
"The eighteenth century was a key period in the establishment of a standard modern English. This period, referred to as the Late Modern English period, witnessed the publication of an unprecedented number of normative works aiming to define 'correct' English. Joseph Priestley (1733-1804) is best known as a scientist and theologian, but his Rudiments of English grammar, first published in 1761, is an important work in the wave of English grammars of the late eighteenth century. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, this book investigates Priestley's role as a codifier of the English language. The author demonstrates that the influence of Priestley's grammar on the language has been underestimated and merits re-evaluation. Priestley's ideas on grammar are related to his broader philosophical thinking. It is shown that, although Priestley is usually seen as one of the few descriptive grammarians of the period, his grammar also contains decidedly prescriptive elements, and that his adherence to the force of usage should be qualified. In addition, Priestley's usage is compared to the rules in his grammar using a corpus of Priestley's personal correspondence, created for this study"--P. [4] of cover.
Subject(s)
ISBN
9789460930522
9460930522
Collection
Joseph Priestley Collection.
Dissertation Note
doctoral Leiden University 2011.
Bibliography Note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 379-402).
Source of Acquisition
Rare Books copy: Gift of the author Robin Straaijer; 2011.
View MARC record | catkey: 7658375