Monthly Archives: June 2013

Does Only spelling Matter? A Word from the Creator of the Text of the Dutch Spelling Contest

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Inge Otto

Yesterday the Volkskrant introduced the composer of the text of the 24th edition of the Grand Dictation of the Dutch Language (het Groot Dictee der Nederlandse Taal), a Dutch spelling contest that is scheduled to be broadcast on 18 December … Continue reading →

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Punishing Princes Street

Posted on June 23, 2013 by Carmen Ebner

Edinburgh’s Princes Street is a true shopper’s delight. Its countless shops and stores make the hearts of shopaholics beat faster and credit cards moan even louder. Yet, it is not all sunshine and roses down Princes Street. Grammar – or … Continue reading →

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Favourite language blogs

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Robin Straaijer

Our blogroll on this site shows the language blogs that we like. But we would also like to know which ones are your favourites?

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Secretary of Dutch Taalunie no fan of Dunglish

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Ingrid Tieken

Anticipating on his talk at the LUCL public event “Wie is de baas over de taal” (Who makes the rules in a language?) next Saturday, Geert Joris wrote in NRC-Handelsblad on Thursday that he dislikes Dunglish. He claims to be … Continue reading →

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Prescriptivism and the curriculum in UK schools

Posted on June 4, 2013 by BtU Admin

Is prescriptivism being reintroduced into the English educational system? This is a topic that hit the news a year ago, and is keeping teachers and politicians still very much occupied – and concerned – today. So much so that Charlotte Brewer … Continue reading →

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David Crystal and the history of English spelling, or how the Internet is killing off silent letters

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Morana Lukač

The Hay Festival of Literature and Arts, which is held annually in Wales, was a prolific place this year for discussions about language use. Professor David Crystal gave a wonderfully engaging talk at the event, presenting his latest book Spell … Continue reading →

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Marilyn French and the split infinitive

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Ingrid Tieken

I found another one! And once again in a novel by Marilyn French (1929-2009), this time My Summer with George (1996). The novel is situated in 1991 (p. 236), and it is about the dream of an affair in late middle … Continue reading →

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