Amglish in, Like, Ten Easy Lessons: A Celebration of the New World Lingo

In this hysterically funny and well-researched book, Rowse (Drive-By Journalism) tracks the evolution of American English influenced by online grammar and syntax, which he calls "Amglish." Drawing from numerous sources, Rowse challenges critics who cling to traditional ways of teaching, writing, and speaking English, especially given the influence of "texting" language, Internet vernacular, and the aggressive global reach of the language itself.%C2%A0The rules of formal grammar have gone out the window and new words%E2%80%94typically portmanteaus and neologisms, like Sarah Palin's much-blogged "refudiate"%E2%80%94appear every day.%C2%A0Rowse suggests that there's nothing we can (or should) do to change this new English, and positions himself as an observer who savors the opportunities provided by American English on its rise to global dominance. He pokes gentle fun at figures notorious for their poor use of the language and gleefully explores different mash-up languages (Singlish, Spanglish) that have been spawned from American influence. Readers curious about linguistic evolution, or even those who just want a light-hearted look at modern slang, would do well to pick up this book. (Oct.)