Signs of the Times: The Queen’s English Society Folds

Glenn Ricketts

I happened to see this news item from the Guardian earlier in the month, announcing the demise of the Queen’s English Society.  

Prior to reading this, I wasn’t aware that such a society existed, although I can certainly endorse its mission (or it’s mission, as I see more often than not) to “become the recognised guardian of proper English.”  Contemporary English, heaven knows, certainly needs a guardian of some sort, since that function was long ago abdicated by educators at every level. 

Unfortunately, as the Guardian report indicates, QES isn’t folding because proper English now reigns supreme as a result of its efforts over the last four decades.  But let’s give them a round for trying, at least.

  • Share

Most Commented

November 19, 2024

1.

Lee Zeldin Should Reform EPA Science Policy

NAS welcomes the nomination of Congressmen Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency....

October 29, 2024

2.

The Looming Irrelevance of Middle East Study Centers

Today’s Middle Eastern Studies Centers are facing a crisis due to the winds of change in the Middle East and their own ideological echo chamber....

September 25, 2024

3.

NAS Statement on University of Pennsylvania Sanction of Amy Wax

The National Association of Scholars is outraged—but not surprised—by Penn's decision to penalize Wax for exercising her academic freedom. ...

Most Read

May 15, 2015

1.

Where Did We Get the Idea That Only White People Can Be Racist?

A look at the double standard that has arisen regarding racism, illustrated recently by the reaction to a black professor's biased comments on Twitter....

October 12, 2010

2.

Ask a Scholar: What is the True Definition of Latino?

What does it mean to be Latino? Are only Latin American people Latino, or does the term apply to anyone whose language derived from Latin?...

September 21, 2010

3.

Ask a Scholar: What Does YHWH Elohim Mean?

A reader asks, "If Elohim refers to multiple 'gods,' then Yhwh Elohim really means Lord of Gods...the one of many, right?" A Hebrew expert answers....