WHAT IS ENGLISH?

Evening Star, Issue 19658, 10 September 1927, Page 16

WHAT IS ENGLISH?

NEW COUNCIL TO DECIDE PROBLEMS OF THE IMAGE A conference of British and American writers at tho offices of tho Royal Society, of Literature, 'Bloomsbury Square, decided to form “an investigating body which' will determine the facts as to disputed and other questions” of the English language. The gathering was fully representative of men of letters on both sides ot the Atlantic, and the Earl of Balfour, who wgs to have presided, sent a message of warm approval of the objects of the new body. A council was chosen from among tho distinguished delegates to the Meeting. In the absence of tho Earl of Balfour, Mr Robert Underwood, member and secretary of tho American Academy of Arts and former Ambassador to Italy, presided. A “certain liveliness” on the Subjects with which tho new council will be concerned was developed at the very outset of the conference, when Mr G. Bernard Shaw inquired whether it was suggested that a proposed executive committee should have power to “co-opt” other members. . . . A The Chairman: Now that is interesting. That word “ co-opt ” is a word I have never heard in my life before I have heard of “co-operate.” Mr Bernard Shaw: I hope it is deal to the American gentlemen present that “ co-opt ” means that tho com mittcc itself would select and appoint its additional members. The Chairman; Oh! I see. • Dr Henry Seidel Canby (America) proposed later that the general council of the proposed body should “consist of distinguished people who, as we say in America, ‘ know their stuff,’ ” Mr Shaw: In other words, distm gv.ished deadheads. At this point someone wanted the door shut owing to difficulties of hearing. ~ Tho Chairman: Would you say that tho “ acoostics ” or “ acowstics ’ are had? . , Mr John C. Bailey (representing the Royal Society of Literature and the English Association); I think “ acoostics ” is better. Sir Henry Newholt: So do I. An American delegate; Now, I should say “ acowstics.” Discussing the objects of the pro posed bodv. Dr Canby said: It should deal with questions of usage and stimulate and initiate study; should reduce its findings to some form suitable for acceptable presentation to tho public; should deal with such questions as the split infinitives, Anglicisms, and Americanisms, colloqniaisms; and should find out the facts and present them in a way _ that editors, publishers, and others will accept. The Chairman: It has been suggested that a gold medal for the clergy rqr tho best read! of the Litany might be desirable, it certainly would in America. I am, of course, prepared to believe that all English clergymen float! perfectly. -Professor L. Pound (University m Nebraska); Vocabulary and phonetic matters might be dealt with. Should we say “ skcdulo ” or “ schedule,” for instance? There are questions ot accent and spelling, “ organisation ’ or “ organization,” for instance. Professor F. S. Boas (Royal Society of Literature and tho English Association) : Recently I was in trouble over a letter I wrote to a newspaper. My English was questioned: Can you use a plural verb after “what”? Professor John Livingstono Lowes (Harvard University): In ray experience Englishmen and American men speak far more nearly alike than English women and American women. “WHO” OR “WHOM.” 'The chairman remarked that the proper us** of “whom” was almost a shibboleth of the cultivated mind. Sir Henry Newholt: 1 hope the body we propose to set up will not waste its time in sitting as a jury to discuss questions which can bo settled simply by reference to tho Oxford dictionary or Mr Fowler’s book. The Chairman : Do you Nkuow any good English writer who misuses tho words “whom” and “whom”? Professor J. Dover Wilson (Royal Society of Literature _ and the English Association): “Yes, sir, Shakespeare.” Mi: J. O. Squire: I think this new body should hot bo a court of reference for individuals who get engaged in trivial disputes about minor points of construction and pronunciation. I do not think this now society is ever going to influence pronunciation to any material extent, but it could be useful in dealing with vocabulary. We do not want at this early stage to make people think we are opening our mouths ton wide. We do not want them to think we expect to alter materially tho constructions and pronunciations of the ordinary man in the street. It would frighten them. The meeting agreed— To form an international Council for English, with reference to ,tho problems of the common language of _ the Eng-lish-speaking countries. This council is to be an investigating body, which will consider the facts as to disputed usages and other questions of_ language in the various English-speaking countries, and give the results of its investigations tho widest publicity. In short, it will maintain the traditions and foster tho development of our common tongue. ft was agreed that the council should consist of 100 members, 50 Americans, and 50 British, and that in addition there should bo an executive committee of not more than nine members from each side—America and the British Empire—with a secretary as an exofficinl member. The executive committee would have power to elect its own chairman and present a budget annually to the council. The council would have power, by a vote of two-thirds of those voting, to amend the constitution. A provisional committee, consisting of Professor John Livingstone Lowes, Dr H. S. Canby, and Professor Fred Newton- Scott (.America). mid Sir Henry Nowbolt, Sir Israel Gollancz, and Mr John C. Bailey (Britain), was given power to select the first executive committee and to appoint a secretary. The executive committee was given power to employ experts in the sciences or arts to carry out expert work. It was agreed that the first secretary to lie employed should be an American, and tho head office of the council should be in England; that the subjects to be dealt with by the council would relate to grammar, pronunciation. (ho various problems or broadcasting, and scientific terminology and kindred difficulties; and that the executive committee should bo self-perpetuat-ing. and have the duty of nominating persons to tho council when vacancies occurred.