Preliminary Announcement & List of Members: Society for Pure English, Tract 01 (1919) — John Shaqi
Preliminary Announcement & List of Members: Society for Pure English, Tract 01 (1919)Society for Pure English
History
Preliminary Announcement & List of Members: Society for Pure English, Tract 01 (1919)
Society for Pure English
Society for Pure English
It is impossible to foresee the quality or amount of such expert
contributions; but the Committee intend to issue at least a quarterly
paper which shall contain a report of proceedings up to date.
Meanwhile the two first tracts are sent gratis to all the present
members. Later issues will be announced in the literary journals, and
members will be expected to buy them unless they shall pre-contract to
have them supplied as they are issued, which may be done by a donation
to the Society at the rate of 10s. a year. The tracts will be issued
by the Oxford University Press.
4. MANAGEMENT.
The original Committee will continue to carry on until it is
convenient to call a meeting of the members to relieve them of their
responsibility; and it is their plan that the members should
ultimately decide the constitution of the Society. Meanwhile they
guarantee the general soundness of the books and publications which
will be advertised on their pages; but under no circumstances do they
make the Society responsible for all the opinions of its contributors;
they desire full discussion of all questions.
5. MEMBERSHIP.
The Committee invite the membership of all those who are genuinely
interested in the objects of the Society and willing to assist in its
work. They should send application for membership to the Honorary
Secretary, Mr. L. Pearsall Smith, 11 St. Leonards Terrace, London,
S.W.3.
6. ORIGINAL PROSPECTUS.
The following is a reprint of the original prospectus as issued Oct.
1913:--
Literary education in England would seem in one grave respect to lack
efficiency, for it does not inspire writers with a due sense of
responsibility towards their native speech. In most European countries
men of letters, and the better class of journalists, are trained to
observe the changes of the language, and to assist consciously in its
development, being guided by acknowledged principles of tradition and
taste. But the English language, which is now rapidly spreading over
the world, is subject to no such guidance, and to very little
intelligent criticism. There is indeed occasional discussion, both in
the journals and in table-talk, concerning the choice and use of
special words and the standards of style; but this is mostly conducted
by irresponsible persons, who have no knowledge of the history of
English, and are even without any definite ideal or right conception
of what the essentials of a good language must be.
It is therefore proposed that a few men of letters, supported by the
scientific alliance of the best linguistic authorities, should form a
group or free association, and agree upon a modest and practical
scheme for informing popular taste on sound principles, for guiding
educational authorities, and for introducing into practice certain
slight modifications and advantageous changes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account