RSA/English Project Debate - English: On the skids. Innit?

29th Jun 2009; 13:00

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As a global language of unparalleled influence and vitality, the evolution of English is seemingly unstoppable.

But do we need to worry about the encroachment of “text speak”/ split infinitives / sentences ending with prepositions/ dumbing-down/ preservation of the great literary tradition/ kids learning standard English/ politicians speaking it properly etc…?

Do we need an authority to govern the process of evolution and keep English in shape? What do we mean by “English”?

Join our panel Jeremy Paxman, Anne Atkins and Susie Dent for a lively debate on the relative merits of the organic V. textbook, liberal V. authoritarian approaches to the future of the English language.

Speakers: Jeremy Paxman, presenter, BBC Newsnight, broadcaster and Anne Atkins, journalist, writer and commentator.

Chair: Susie Dent, lexicographer and dictionary expert, Channel 4 Countdown programme

In association with the English Project.

Suggested hashtag for Twitter users: #rsaenglish

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