In this hysterically funny and well-researched book, Rowse (Drive-By Journalism) tracks the evolution of American English influenced by online grammar and syntax, which he calls 'Amglish.' Drawing from numerous sources, Rowse challenges critics who cling to traditional ways of teaching, writing, and speaking English, especially given the influence of 'texting' language, Internet vernacular, and the aggressive global reach of the language itself. The rules of formal grammar have gone out the window and new words—typically portmanteaus and neologisms, like Sarah Palin's much-blogged 'refudiate'—appear every day. Rowse suggests that there's nothing we can (or should) do to change this new English, and positions himself as an observer who savors the opportunities provided by American English on its rise to global dominance. He pokes gentle fun at figures notorious for their poor use of the language and gleefully explores different mash-up languages (Singlish, Spanglish) that have been spawned from American influence. Readers curious about linguistic evolution, or even those who just want a light-hearted look at modern slang, would do well to pick up this book.
Publishers Weekly
[Rowse's] take on this evolution is more realistic and, yes, decidedly more youthful than my own. He looked hard at what is happening and “chose the positive approach.” And he enlivens that approach with humor, which, along with amusing illustrations by “the world’s greatest caricaturist,” John G. Doherty, makes for an entertaining read. So it is that I say that I’m glad I stuck with the book. In a way its style, a mix of the formal and the informal, and its somewhat fractured structure are its own message: Don’t take yourself too seriously, find pleasure in the new lingo even as you keep control of the old, learn to accept if not embrace this “English in blue jeans,” and . . . have a good day. By the end perhaps the most telling thing I can say is: “Us nitpickers shld better switch than fight.”
The Exeter Bulletin
A glorious romp through the global fields of modern informal English. Arthur Rowse's joyful exploration of the growth in world Amglish is daring, illuminating, playful, and challenging. Whether we love this still-evolving lingo or hate it, we can't possibly ignore it. The task, he concludes in his final lesson, is how best to manage it.
David Crystal, renowned linguist and author, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language Amglish is not only here to stay, it's a kind of party, and Arthur E. Rowse shows us how to join in and have fun. Lively, illuminating and totally cool-smart.
William Powers, author of the Blue Clay People: Seasons on Africa's Fragile Edge Living languages exist in a state of flux, improvising in jazzy fashion, lending and borrowing from others while reshuffling syntactical rules. And no language is more dynamic, less cautious than American English, which explains why everyone the world over wants a part of it. Let’s give Arthur Rowse a thank you for his smorgasbord of anecdotes, reflections, and insight. It allows us to appreciate the beautiful linguistic anarchy that is our daily parlance.
Ilan Stavans, author, Spanglish: The Making of a New American Language and Dictionary Days What an exciting resource for celebrating the multiple avataras of world Englishes in a variety of contexts! Rowse deserves the readers’ applause.
Braj Kachru Amglish is fun to read.
The Book Garden