Broken English
Subtitle: dialects and the politics of language in Renaissance writings
By: Paula Blank.
Series: The Politics of language
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 1996
Place of publication: London; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 211
Subjects: English language -- Early modern, 1500-1700.; English literature -- Early modern, 1500-1700 -- History and criticism.; Language and languages -- Political aspects -- England -- History -- 16th century.; Language and languages -- Political aspects -- England -- History -- 17th century.; English language -- Variation -- England -- History -- 16th century.; English language -- Variation -- England -- History -- 17th century.; Dialect literature, English -- History and criticism.; Language and culture -- England -- History -- 16th century.; Language and culture -- England -- History -- 17th century.; Renaissance -- England.
Description: The English language in the Renaissance was in many ways a collection of competing Englishes. Paula Blank investigates the representation of alternative vernaculars - the dialects of early modern English - in both linguistic and literary works of the period.

Blank argues that Renaissance authors such as Spenser, Shakespeare, and Jonson helped to construct the idea of a national language, variously known as "true" English or "pure" English or the "King's English," by distinguishing its dialects - and sometimes by creating those dialects themselves. Broken English reveals how the Renaissance "invention" of dialect forged modern alliances of language and cultural authority.

. This book will be of interest to scholars and students of Renaissance studies and Renaissance English literature. It will also make fascinating reading for anyone with an interest in the history of the English language.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 169-206) and index.