The American Language | Short Essay Answer Key

Short Essay Answer Key

1. What general problem of language does Mencken describe in Chapter 1.1?

In Chapter 1.1, Mencken describes a rigid linguistic formalism that is intently focused upon the preservation and teaching of grammatical form rather than the study of contemporary language use.

2. In Chapter 1.2, whom does Mencken identify as chiefly responsible for the inhibiting of an American dialect?

In Chapter 1.2, Mencken identifies as chiefly responsible for the inhibiting of an American dialect the academics and scholars of the United States who overly sympathize with the traditional English conventions, which do not match the colloquial mannerisms of the Americans.

3. What principally causes the difficulty of the English people understanding the American speech as explained in Chapter 1.3?

Principally, the difficulty of the English people understanding the American speech is caused by the idiomatic, colloquial expressions arising from popular culture, particularly movies.

4. What, in...
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