The Politics of language : 1791-1819

The period covered by this book was one of considerable repression and rigid class divisions in England, and ideas about language both maintained and justified this state of affairs. Concepts of vulgar and refined language reinforced class distinctions and, at moments of political conflict, such as trials for sedition, these ideas were used to deny political and social rights to those deemed "vulgar." Challenging this form of linguistic repression was a radical movement which aimed to make society more democratic. Olivia Smith's fascinating book examines these accepted ideas about language, discusses the forms in which they were disseminated and analyzes the challenging new opinions from both the radical literati and the self-educated men—Wordsworth, Coleridge and John Thorne Took on the one hand, and Cobbett, Thomas Spense, and William Hone on the other. The period covered by this book is one of considerable repression and class division in England, and ideas about language justified and maintained these social conditions. Concepts of vulgar and refined language reinforced class distinctions and informed people's attitudes to one another. At moments of political conflict, such as trials for sedition or the discussion of repressive legislation, these concepts were used to justify the denial of political and social rights to the vulgar. However, this period also saw the rise of the radical movement to challenge these ideas in the recognition that they must be reformulated if society were to become more democratic In this period in England, concepts of `vulgar' and `refined' language reinforced class distinctions, and these ideas were used to justify the denial of political and social rights to the vulgar.