Language police: Europe’s language academies and attitudes
Who decides what is grammatically correct or incorrect? Learn about language attitudes and Europe's language academies on this lively in-person course in central London.
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This course explores the history of "correct" language in Europe, examining the rise of prescriptivist attitudes and the institutions founded to enforce them. We will trace the origins of language academies like the Académie Française and the Real Academia Española, investigating their role in nation-building and cultural identity. Students will compare these institutions and their attitudes to linguistic variation and change with contemporary language planning and policy in the Nordic countries. The course also turns its focus to the English-speaking world, where, in the absence of an official academy, the creation of monumental dictionaries by figures like Samuel Johnson and the editors of the OED shaped the way we understand and use English today.
What will we cover?
This course begins by exploring why we often feel certain ways of speaking are "right" or "wrong," introducing the debate between following strict rules and simply observing how language evolves. We will travel back to the 17th century to see how the Académie Française and the Real Academia Española were created to "clean" their national languages, often as a way to project power and unity at home and abroad. From there, we look at the curious case of the English language: why does it have no official "language police" to set the rules? We will discover how individual passion projects-like Samuel Johnson’s famous 1755 Dictionary and the massive Victorian effort behind the Oxford English Dictionary-stepped in to fill that gap. We’ll also consider how contemporary language and cultural institutions in Scandinavia strike a balance between recommending and describing how languages are used. Finally, we’ll look at the modern world to see how the internet and social media are challenging the old "guardians" of language and changing the way we speak today.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
Identify the historical and political motivations behind the establishment of European language academies.
Discuss the difference between prescriptivist and descriptivist approaches to linguistics.
Explain the unique development of the English language in the absence of a central governing body.
Analyse the impact of major lexicographical works (like Johnson’s Dictionary) on national identity.
Reflect on how modern digital culture challenges the authority of traditional language institutions.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for anyone with an interest in history, linguistics, or European culture. No prior knowledge of French, Spanish, or linguistic theory is required. It is ideal for those who enjoy debating the "rules" of language and where they come from.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will be taught through illustrated lectures, group discussions, and the analysis of historical documents, dictionary entries, and academy edicts. There is no mandatory homework, but optional weekly readings and "word-spotting" exercises will be provided to enhance your understanding of how prescriptivism operates in the wild.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No additional costs. You may wish to bring a notebook and pen to record interesting etymologies and historical anecdotes. All primary source excerpts will be provided in digital or handout format.
Welsh/Swedish: Raised in the Welsh-speaking heartland of north Pembrokeshire, Jack has taught Welsh to adults since 2017 in London, Cardiff and online. He has a particular interest in using phonetic approaches to improve learners’ pronunciation and teaches interactive pronunciation workshops. A keen language learner, Jack began studying Swedish at City Lit and quickly became obsessed by this fascinating Germanic language. He holds an advanced certificate in Swedish from Folkuniversitetet (Göteborg) and coordinates Scandinavian language courses at City Lit. As a tutor on workshops and beginner level courses, Jack enjoys helping learners to overcome the challenges that he himself faced as a learner. Sociolinguistics: Jack completed his PhD at Ysgol y Gymraeg (Cardiff University) in 2023, where he researched how linguistic backgrounds of adult learners of Welsh affect their pronunciation. Jack teaches introductory courses on language policy and attitudes in Sweden, the history of the Welsh language, and the pragmatics of politeness. He brings theoretical insight to help learners understand how language is viewed, used and changed.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/language-police-europe-s-language-academies-and-attitudes3074908Language police: Europe’s language academies and attitudeshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/europe-1848-HEH115-1024.jpg189189GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history/Courses/Languages/Courses/Languages/World history & cultures/Courses/Languages/World history & cultures/Linguistics2285117711781182128013101311122851177117812801310<p>Who decides what is grammatically correct or incorrect? Learn about language attitudes and Europe's language academies on this lively in-person course in central London.</p>003074827Language police: Europe’s language academies and attitudes189189https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/europe-1848-HEH115-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2027-02-03T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allFeb 2027Culture, history & humanitiesHMI82189189Language police: Europe’s language academies and attitudes151123189Jack Pulman-Slaterlanguage-police-europe-s-language-academies-and-attitudes/hmi82-2627<p>Who decides what is grammatically correct or incorrect? Learn about language attitudes and Europe's language academies on this lively in-person course in central London.</p>0000-Available|2027-02-03 00:00:00<p>This course explores the history of "correct" language in Europe, examining the rise of prescriptivist attitudes and the institutions founded to enforce them. We will trace the origins of language academies like the Académie Française and the Real Academia Española, investigating their role in nation-building and cultural identity. Students will compare these institutions and their attitudes to linguistic variation and change with contemporary language planning and policy in the Nordic countries. The course also turns its focus to the English-speaking world, where, in the absence of an official academy, the creation of monumental dictionaries by figures like Samuel Johnson and the editors of the OED shaped the way we understand and use English today. </p><p>Who decides what is grammatically correct or incorrect? Learn about language attitudes and Europe's language academies on this lively in-person course in central London.</p><p>This course begins by exploring why we often feel certain ways of speaking are "right" or "wrong," introducing the debate between following strict rules and simply observing how language evolves. We will travel back to the 17th century to see how the Académie Française and the Real Academia Española were created to "clean" their national languages, often as a way to project power and unity at home and abroad. From there, we look at the curious case of the English language: why does it have no official "language police" to set the rules? We will discover how individual passion projects-like Samuel Johnson’s famous 1755 Dictionary and the massive Victorian effort behind the Oxford English Dictionary-stepped in to fill that gap. We’ll also consider how contemporary language and cultural institutions in Scandinavia strike a balance between recommending and describing how languages are used. Finally, we’ll look at the modern world to see how the internet and social media are challenging the old "guardians" of language and changing the way we speak today. </p><p>By the end of this course, you should be able to: </p><ul><li><p>Identify the historical and political motivations behind the establishment of European language academies. </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Discuss the difference between prescriptivist and descriptivist approaches to linguistics. </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Explain the unique development of the English language in the absence of a central governing body. </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Analyse the impact of major lexicographical works (like Johnson’s Dictionary) on national identity. </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Reflect on how modern digital culture challenges the authority of traditional language institutions. </p></li></ul><p>This course is suitable for anyone with an interest in history, linguistics, or European culture. No prior knowledge of French, Spanish, or linguistic theory is required. It is ideal for those who enjoy debating the "rules" of language and where they come from. </p><p>The course will be taught through illustrated lectures, group discussions, and the analysis of historical documents, dictionary entries, and academy edicts. There is no mandatory homework, but optional weekly readings and "word-spotting" exercises will be provided to enhance your understanding of how prescriptivism operates in the wild. </p><p>No additional costs. You may wish to bring a notebook and pen to record interesting etymologies and historical anecdotes. All primary source excerpts will be provided in digital or handout format. </p><p>You may also be interested in:</p><ul><li>LSVW4 the languages of Sweden</li><li>HMI78 <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/emerging-languages-and-cultures" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Emerging languages and culture</a></li><li>HBH122 The Welsh Language: a condensed Modern History</li></ul><p> </p><p>Browse all our online and in-person <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/languages/european/swedish" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Swedish</a>, <a href="http://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/languages/european/spanish" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Spanish </a>and <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/languages/european/french" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">French</a> courses.</p><p> </p>HistoryEuropean historyLanguagesWorld history & culturesLinguisticsvirtual151189123HMI82NONEWed03/02/27 - 10/03/2710:30 - 12:3010:3012:306 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksWeekdayKSKeeley StreetJack Pulman-SlaterBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2027-02-03T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeFeb 2027Culture, history & humanities189189Language police: Europe’s language academies and attitudeslanguage-police-europe-s-language-academies-and-attitudes/hmi82-2627<p>Who decides what is grammatically correct or incorrect? Learn about language attitudes and Europe's language academies on this lively in-person course in central London.</p>0000-Available|2027-02-03 00:00:00<p>This course explores the history of "correct" language in Europe, examining the rise of prescriptivist attitudes and the institutions founded to enforce them. We will trace the origins of language academies like the Académie Française and the Real Academia Española, investigating their role in nation-building and cultural identity. Students will compare these institutions and their attitudes to linguistic variation and change with contemporary language planning and policy in the Nordic countries. The course also turns its focus to the English-speaking world, where, in the absence of an official academy, the creation of monumental dictionaries by figures like Samuel Johnson and the editors of the OED shaped the way we understand and use English today. </p><p>Who decides what is grammatically correct or incorrect? Learn about language attitudes and Europe's language academies on this lively in-person course in central London.</p><p>This course begins by exploring why we often feel certain ways of speaking are "right" or "wrong," introducing the debate between following strict rules and simply observing how language evolves. We will travel back to the 17th century to see how the Académie Française and the Real Academia Española were created to "clean" their national languages, often as a way to project power and unity at home and abroad. From there, we look at the curious case of the English language: why does it have no official "language police" to set the rules? We will discover how individual passion projects-like Samuel Johnson’s famous 1755 Dictionary and the massive Victorian effort behind the Oxford English Dictionary-stepped in to fill that gap. We’ll also consider how contemporary language and cultural institutions in Scandinavia strike a balance between recommending and describing how languages are used. Finally, we’ll look at the modern world to see how the internet and social media are challenging the old "guardians" of language and changing the way we speak today. </p><p>By the end of this course, you should be able to: </p><ul><li><p>Identify the historical and political motivations behind the establishment of European language academies. </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Discuss the difference between prescriptivist and descriptivist approaches to linguistics. </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Explain the unique development of the English language in the absence of a central governing body. </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Analyse the impact of major lexicographical works (like Johnson’s Dictionary) on national identity. </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Reflect on how modern digital culture challenges the authority of traditional language institutions. </p></li></ul><p>This course is suitable for anyone with an interest in history, linguistics, or European culture. No prior knowledge of French, Spanish, or linguistic theory is required. It is ideal for those who enjoy debating the "rules" of language and where they come from. </p><p>The course will be taught through illustrated lectures, group discussions, and the analysis of historical documents, dictionary entries, and academy edicts. There is no mandatory homework, but optional weekly readings and "word-spotting" exercises will be provided to enhance your understanding of how prescriptivism operates in the wild. </p><p>No additional costs. You may wish to bring a notebook and pen to record interesting etymologies and historical anecdotes. All primary source excerpts will be provided in digital or handout format. </p><p>You may also be interested in:</p><ul><li>LSVW4 the languages of Sweden</li><li>HMI78 <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/emerging-languages-and-cultures" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Emerging languages and culture</a></li><li>HBH122 The Welsh Language: a condensed Modern History</li></ul><p> </p><p>Browse all our online and in-person <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/languages/european/swedish" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Swedish</a>, <a href="http://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/languages/european/spanish" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Spanish </a>and <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/languages/european/french" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">French</a> courses.</p><p> </p>HistoryEuropean historyLanguagesWorld history & culturesLinguisticsconfigurable
11821178European historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/european-history1/2/285/1177/1178/11821/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history
