Quotations about English Language ...

[raghuveer_v]

English grammar is so complex and confusing for the one very simple reason that its rules and terminology are based on Latin—a language with which it has precious little in common. In Latin, to take one example, it is not possible to split an infinitive. So in English, the early authorities decided, it should not be possible to split an infinitive either. But there is no reason why we shouldn’t, any more than we should forsake instant coffee and air travel because they weren’t available to the Romans. Making English grammar conform to Latin rules is like asking people to play baseball using the rules of football. It is a patent absurdity. But once this insane notion became established, grammarians found themselves having to draw up ever more complicated and circular arguments to accommodate the inconsistencies.

- Bill Bryson (b. 1951), U.S. author, journalist. The Mother Tongue: English & How It Got That Way, ch. 9, Morrow (1990).

Source:http://www.bartleby.com/66/87/8987.html



Raghuveer.

[raghuveer_v]

If English is spoken in heaven ... God undoubtedly employs Cranmer as his speechwriter. The angels of the lesser ministries probably use the language of the New English Bible and the Alternative Service Book for internal memos.

-Charles, Prince Of Wales (b. 1948). quoted in Times (London, Dec. 20, 1989).

(Remark when judging a reading competition)


Raghuveer.

[raghuveer_v]

The English language may hold a more disagreeable combination of words than “The doctor will see you now.” I am willing to concede something to the phrase “Have you anything to say before the current is turned on?”

-Robert Benchley (1889–1945), U.S. writer, humorist. Love Conquers All, “The Tooth and the Whole Tooth,” Henry Holt (1922).

Source: http://www.bartleby.com/66/24/6524.html



Raghuveer.

[Vitaly]

I personaly don't have problems to keep infinitives without spliting. I could agree that in some cases split infinitives changes tone of a sentence. Therefore spliting infinitives could be very useful tool for writers, beause spliting of infinitives gives them more freedom in writing and creation of unique descriptions or emotions.
What is interesting that Russian for example doesn't have infinitive construction similar to English. How would you feel about using verbs without "to" at all!
"The American Heritage® Book of English Usage,"
( http://www.bartleby.com/64/C001/059.html )doesn't condemn spliting of infinitives. I think that it's necessary to use withdom in choosing were to split infinitive and were to keep it without spliting.
Despite confusion with split infinitives, I can not say that English has very difficult grammar. In some cases English has very good benefits like: very clear construction of questions. You can not misunderstand eithr it is question or statement, because they are built differently. In Russin for example, difference between statement and question is only in intonation of the voice.
Therfore I think English has it's own pluses.

[irene]

..and "it's" own correct spelling

"The English language evolved when Norman men-at-arms tried to date Saxon barmaids, and was no more legitimate than any of the other results thereof." - H. Beam Piper