The Book by David Wolman

"Righting the Mother Tongue" is the recent book that I read. The work of David Wolman simply entranced me to the process of standardization of English language. Basing on the present orthography, I was amazed on how the "olde" English language was botched, tangled and confused so to speak. Thank god! I was born to the post generation of geniuses in the likes of Chaucer, Gutenberg, Caxton, Milton, Bullokar, Dewey, Benowski & Webster when everything are already polished and fine. They are the enthusiasts whose intellects had exhausted the analytics of standardizing, correcting and modifying the English language that seemed so flawless. I salute them!

I equate English language as monetary unit in which one uses to deal and transact with from day to day that it is but right to master. Since English is actually my secondary language being a Filipino descent, I'm utmost cautious in using the language with proper spelling and grammar... although as an immigrant and having a husband who speaks English, I must consider it as my primary language nowadays but will always have Tagalog and Cebuano dialects by heart.

The book flaunts the transition of English language which dates even way back to 14th century when there was no standard of correct spelling at all. The work of Chaucer like the Tales of Canterbury and marvelous scripts of Shakespeare showed a limpid difference in the English spelling nowadays. To discern the then and now, it is simply called as the "old English". Influences of British, French, Latin, Danish and others are embodiment of English language. It's funny when I found out in the book that even the former President Roosevelt had a taste of misspellings himself in one of the public letter he had written. To maintain the reputation of Mr. Roosevelt and of course to save him from humiliation since he belongs to the great echelon, the legislative body requested to revamp some words that the president misspelled and adapt those as the correct spelling... Isn't this great!... the perks of being a President...Then!

You might be wondering why standardize the language?... simply for the purpose of practicality and order. Books and other forms of prints have been the vital influence in the literacy of spelling. Books as being the source of knowledge since time immemorial and who produce these?... The letterpress! The letterpress, thanks to the first metal letterpress of Johannes Gutenburg, were the big push of standardizing the spelling of each word to program the machine that will equate to efficiency and less time consumption thus resulting to mass production. It makes sense isn't it?!...

Most of the spellings before were based on how one pronounce it. Depending on the writers at times when they want to be distinct and sophisticated they want the influence of French word to be inculcated in the language. Historically, French was the language of the elites, aristocrats & socialites, Latin was the language of the Church and English was the language of the farmers otherwise called as commoners... Had I not read this book, I wouldn't be able to know this. The group of reformers changed this lingual casting, thanks to them!... You could just imagine if there is no standard spelling, it must have been a chaotic English world, your spelling will be different with mine... oh my!... Then came Webster, Benowski and the rest... the reform started to flourish.

To all the intellectuals of the past... I admired you all. The selfless act of rigorous reform that benefited the present generation is the epitome of generosity. The realm of your intelligence and passion for betterment were the foundation of your accomplishment.

This book is amazing... do read it- RIGHTING THE MOTHER TONGUE BY David Wolman