In Language Myths twenty one linguists take on common misconceptions and misunderstandings about language. They offer entertaining and accessible explanations of poorly understood aspects of language, especially competency and change. The format doesn't allow for much depth, however: essays only hint at an explanation of phonemics and deep structure, for example. (Some but not all of the essays offer suggestions for further reading.) And there is also some repetition between the essays. So, while the format of Language Myths is great for attracting attention, a newcomer to linguistics might find a more systematic presentation more effective (Pinker's The Language Instinct, perhaps, or Crystal's Encyclopedia of Language).

The twenty one essays are:

• the meanings of words should not be allowed to vary or change
• some languages are just not good enough
• the media are ruining English
• French is a logical language
• English spelling is kattastroffik
• women talk too much
• some languages are harder than others
• children can't write or speak properly any more
• in the Appalachians they speak like Shakespeare
• some languages have no grammar
• Italian is beautiful, German is ugly
• bad grammar is slovenly
• black children are verbally deprived
• double negatives are illogical
• TV makes people sound the same
• you shouldn't say 'it is me' because 'me' is an accusative
• they speak really bad English down south and in New York City
• some languages are spoken more quickly than others
• Aborigines speak a primitive language
• everyone has an accent except me
• America is ruining the English language

February 2000

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