THE SlxMPLIFICATlON OF ENGLISH. 



By I'rof. Arthur Stanley Kidd^ Ai.A. 



The many and great changes which Enghsh has undergone 

 in its progress from the synthetic to the analytic are so well 

 known that I do not need to deal with them here. I should like, 

 however, to point out that what makes English a language so 

 peculiarly adapted to modern conditions is the fact that its 

 genius has always developed in the general direction of simpliti- 

 cation in accidence and syntax, and of Free Trade, as opposed 

 to Protection, in the importation of foreign vocabulary. 



Unfortunately, at the present time, owing to the printed 

 book — especially the manifold grammars — and to the unifor- 

 mity of educational practice, there is a great danger of the old 

 and wholesome progress being absolutely arrested before the 

 goal of simplicity has been reached. 



Our schoolmasters and, of course, our Professors seem to 

 have set their whole energy to work to stop any grammatical 

 progress at all. It is something like the old struggle between 

 Classicism and Romanticism. What is natural and simple is 

 thwarted by the sullen ultra-conversatism of certain antiquated 

 rules and laws laid down by gramn-atical Boileaus — 



" Closely wed 

 To musty laws lined out with wretched rule 

 And compass vile." 



The truth is that we need a Romantic Movement in Eng- 

 lish grammar. 



" Is there so small a range 

 In the present strength of manhood, that the high 

 Imagination cannot freely fly 

 As she was wont of old?" 



Simplification of Grammar. 



In some of the newest English grammars I find that there 

 is a tendency to give thousands of examples of errors commonly 

 made by speakers of English. " It is surprising," says one editor 

 (W. T. Webb), "into what simple mistakes even educated 

 people fall, who have not made a definite study of grammar 

 and idiom." Among examples of mistakes he gives the fol- 

 lowing : — 



There are no less than fifty cows in the field. 



He enquired about your state of health. 



Where have you been tof 



Directly he comes, you may go. 



Be sure and ask him to come. 



I like these sort of pens. 



So far from consenting, he refused point blank. 



