Chapter 1.5 Summary

Providing general characterization of American speech, Mencken claims that those discussing it point out 1) its general uniformity throughout America; and 2) its "impatient disregard" for rules and precedents of grammar. Both subsequently lend themselves to a great capacity for taking in and/or creating new words and phrases. Unlike other countries, in America there is a general dialect shared by the whole nation. He quotes President Taft, who states they "all speak the same language and have the same ideas," adding his is a comment affirmed by others - New York World, Gilbert M. Tucker, American observers. "...There is practically no difference between the American spoken in our 4,039,000 square miles of territory, except as spoken by foreigners.... From Portland, Maine, to Portland, Oregon, no trace of a distinct dialect is to be found."

Chapter 1.5 Analysis

In an effort to redeem American English, Mencken sets...