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Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English

byValerie Fridland

Linguist Valerie Fridland defends expressions commonly condemned as “bad English,” including like, literally, dude, vocal fry, and other features associated with youth or informality. She explains how language change actually works and why innovations often carry precise social and conversational functions. Historical examples show that yesterday's errors can become today's standard grammar. The book exposes judgments about speech as judgments about age, class, region, race, and gender, inviting readers to replace irritation with curiosity. Fridland argues that living languages remain useful because speakers continually reshape them.

Publisher

Penguin Publishing Group

Publication date

2023

Format

Print edition

Pages

—

ISBN

9780593298329