The Prodigal Tongue: The Love-Hate Relationship Between American and British English

FAIN: FZ-231439-15

Mary Lynne Murphy
University of Sussex (Brighton BN1 9QN England)

A historical exploration of changes in the English language over 300 years, focusing on differences between American and British national dialects, why they differ, and how the differences are perceived.

This project supports M. Lynne Murphy in writing How America Saved the English Language. Since 2006, Murphy has used her linguistic expertise to engage the public in exploring American and British English through the blog Separated by a Common Language, social media, public talks and media work. While the tongue-in-cheek title serves to draw readers in, the book provides a rigorously researched and reader-friendly examination of why national dialects differ as they do, why they don’t differ more, how they are changing with and despite each other’s influence, and how these issues are often misrepresented due to a range of social-cognitive biases and mistaken beliefs. It incorporates a range of original archival, corpus, and analytical research as well as the synthesis of existing work on the history and status of English. It is aimed to help English users examine biases in treatment of the two dialects (in teaching, editing, media) and appreciate the richness of their language.

Media Coverage

The Prodigal Tongue: The Love-Hate Relationship Between American and British English (Review)
Author(s): unknown
Publication: Publisher's Weekly
Date: 1/29/2018
Abstract: 'The book’s momentum comes from Murphy’s witty presentation, but its real power comes from its commitment to inquiry and its profound belief that 'communication involves a million little acts of faith.'"
URL: https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-14-313110-6

Associated Products

Word of Mouth: Like, totally awesome: the Americanisation of English (BBC Radio 4) (Radio/Audio Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Word of Mouth: Like, totally awesome: the Americanisation of English (BBC Radio 4)
Producer: Mair Bosworth
Abstract: Michael Rosen is joined by writer Matthew Engel and linguist Dr Lynne Murphy to discuss the Americanisation of English. Is the pace of Americanisation of British English really increasing? Why do Americans say eggplant and sidewalk, rather than aubergine and pavement? Why does your spellchecker insist it's 'color' not 'colour'? Do Americans complain about the 'Britishisms' creeping into use in the States as much as we complain about Americanisms in use in the UK? Does it really matter if British and American English begin to be used interchangeably and could we stem the flow if we tried?
Date: 02/28/17
Primary URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08g5533
Primary URL Description: BBC Radio 4 website, downloadable podcast
Secondary URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/41bfxxr0Gfr7h6v5LJyJh9s/totally-awesome-seven-ways-you-use-americanisms-every-day
Secondary URL Description: Totally awesome: Seven ways you use Americanisms every day Article developing themes from the radio show.
Access Model: Broadcast and podcast. Available free indefinitely(?)
Format: Radio

The Prodigal Tongue: the love-hate relationship between American and British English (Book)
Title: The Prodigal Tongue: the love-hate relationship between American and British English
Author: Lynne Murphy
Abstract: An American linguist teaching in England explores the sibling rivalry between British and American English
Year: 2018
Primary URL: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/552013/the-prodigal-tongue-by-lynne-murphy/9780143131106/
Primary URL Description: publisher's website
Secondary URL: http://theprodigaltongue.com
Secondary URL Description: author's website (available soon)
Publisher: Penguin USA
Type: Single author monograph
ISBN: 9780143131106
Copy sent to NEH?: Yes

The Prodigal Tongue: the love-hate relationship between British and American English (Book)
Title: The Prodigal Tongue: the love-hate relationship between British and American English
Author: Lynne Murphy
Abstract: Lynne Murphy, an American linguist living in England, dives into the war of words being waged over the Atlantic. In a laugh-out-loud report, she separates reality from myth in this special relationship and delves into the social and political forces that have seen British and American English part ways. From the origins of ‘the bee’s knees’ to why so many of Hollywood’s evil geniuses sound as though they were educated at Oxford, The Prodigal Tongue reveals how our language really works and tells us where it’s going.
Year: 2018
Primary URL: https://oneworld-publications.com/the-prodigal-tongue-hb.html
Primary URL Description: publisher's website
Secondary URL: http://theprodigaltongue.com
Secondary URL Description: author's website (available soon)
Publisher: Oneworld
Type: Single author monograph
ISBN: 978-1786072696
Copy sent to NEH?: Yes

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