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Mencken's American English Supplanting British Speech
WASHINGTON—H. L. Mencken and the American language he expounded, enriched, and exemplified have both reached a ripe age at the same time.
The "Sage of Baltimore," reporter, editor and author of the monumental"The American Language" and its supplements, recently turned 75.
The American language is much older than its famous proponent. It dates from at least mid-18th century, says the National Geographic Society, when the difference between the English of Britain and America became noticeable. By 1813 Jefferson summed up the reason: "The new circumstances under which we are placed call for new words, new phrases, and for the transfer of old words to new objects. An American dialect will therefore be found."
The change can be measured by some American words and their British counterparts: railroad tracks, "metals"; freight car, "goods-wagon"; auto hood, "bonnet"; muffler, "silencer"; battery, "accumulator"; pancake turner, "egg-scoop"; can opener, "tin-opener"; egg-bater, "egg-whisk"; pay envelope, "paypacket"; and a trillion, "a billion."
American, British Words
Such were these differences that by the 20th century George Bernard Shaw quipped that "England and America are two countries separated by the same language."
10 Mencken, who began to discuss the common speech of the United States in the editorial pages of the Baltimore Evening Sun in
1910, change seemed natural. The fourth (1936) edition of his "American Language" states: "As English spreads over the world, will it be able to maintain its present form? Probably not. But why should it? The notion that anything is gained by fixing a language in a groove is cherished only by pedants."
Favors American English In the competition between American and the so-called standard-ard English of England, Mencken gives his native tongue altogether the better of it.
University Daily Kansan
in fact, American of today, he contends, is more honestly English than the language of the mother country—"it still shows all the characters that marked the common tongue in the days of Elizabeth, and it continues to resist stoutly the policing that ironed out standard English in the 17th and 18th centuries."
The creative vigor that enlivened the language of Shakespeare's era is paralleled in American under modern conditions. Through business, literature, talking films, recording and the mingling of Americans the world over, the speech of the United States has contributed greatly to the vast expansion of "English," both in vocabulary and in the number of people who speak it. One philologist comments that in 100 years American and not English will be the chief foreign language taught in Asia and Europe.
Items for the Official Bulletin must be brought to the Public Relations office, 222-A Strong, before 9:30 a.m. on the day of publication. Do not leave unattended in Dairy Kansan. Notices should include name, place, date, and time of function.
Official Bulletin
Foreign students: All former foreign students, who attended KU during the Academic Year 1954-55, please register with Mrs. Brand in the Dean of Men's Office, 228 Strong Hall, if you have not yet done so.
Today
Museum of Art Record Concerts, noon.
4 p.m., Main Gallery, Suite 205, Art
Rock Museum. Suites 170-198.
Kappa Beta, 5:30 p.m. Myers Hall, Suppl. p. 117. Covered. All Christian Church hosts welcome.
Social Work Club, 4 p.m. Sociology Library, Annex A. Interested individuals invited is交
Giants' State alumnae 4 p.m. Jayhawk
State Ute's Union Discuss formation
of baseball
Lecture, "Prospects for Better USA-ASUSR Relations," Stephen G. Cary, the American Friends Service Comer. 3:30 p.m., Pine Room, Student Union.
Tomorrow
Episcopal Morning Prayer, 6:45 a.m.
Holy Communion 7 a.m., Danforth
8 a.m.
museum of Art Record Concert, 12 noon, 4 p.m. Main Gallery, Museum of Art. Dvorak: Sonata in F Major Op. 51. COUNC Executive Board Meeting, 4
education Club. 4-5 p.m. Student Union, Panel: The Underprivileged Child. All education majors welcome.
J Jane Pledging. 5 p.m. Student Union, Panel: The Underprivileged Child.
Le Carre Francais se reunitra mercredi a 7 h. 30 dans la salle 113 Strong Hall. Tous Ceux que s'interessent au français sont invites.
Arnold Air Society smoker. 7 p.m.
Kansas Room. and ties. Refresh-
ment served.
Freshawk Meeting. 7 p.m., Jawayh
Room.
Migration
Attendance required.
presentation
Lutheran Student Association business
meeting,
Principacy Church 13th
Hampshire, Hampshire
CCUN Reorganization Meeting. 7:30
BUSINESS SERVICES
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DRESSMAKING- Formals, alterations-
Wedding gowns  Ola Smith 971.5 Mass
EXPERIENCED TYPIST: Theses, term papers, reports, given immediate tention. Must accurately record course Mrs. Glinka, 1911 Tennessee. Ph. VI 3-1240. t/
TO SUBSCRIBE to the Kansas City Star,
call VI 3-0181. Thirteen issues 40c.
10^-9
STUDENTS: The Eldridge Hotel Barber Shop has more barbers now for your service. 10-7
WANTED TYPING-Fast accurate service, reasonable rates, call VI 3-5983
FOR RENT
PRIVATE ROOM, share bath, kitchen,
laundry facilities with two other men
students. Utilities and linens furnished.
$30. Phone VI 3-0626. 10-6
FOR RENT—Garage in vicinity of 14th
pqh. Ohio. Phone VI 3-7655. 10-5
Try Kansan Want Ads. Get Results
FOR SALE
FOR SALE: Sweet cider for sale. Law
vanilla. Phone VI 3-810-615-
vanilla.
ELECTROLUX CLEANERS — $69.75.
New ELECTROLUX complete with attachments—$69.75. Low payment plan $5.00 per month. Also, a limited number of FACTORY REBUILTS fully guaranteed. Applying for the convenience. FOR SALES AND SERVICE phone VI 3-2377. 1994 Barker. F. V. Cox. 10-26
FOR SALE—4 x 5 Speed Graphic. Complete with case, flash gun, extra holders, wide angle lens and many other accessories. For quick sale. See at 1530 Barker. 10-4
OR SALE—Leica III-F plus accessories- $225. Camera in good condition. Call sam Jones. VI 3-5770 after 8 p.m. 10-5
TRUMAN MEMOIRS-Limited number,
autograph first editions. $8.50. Call Ter-
vence Williams. VI 3-6247. 10-7
OR SALE, 1944 four-door Custom Ford.
perfection condition, new tires. $价 $1125
-must be sold this week. For details
all Claude Kean at VI 3-3944. 10-6
LOST
REWARD- Glasses, heavy brown frame,
green tint. Dark leather case. Lost Tuesday
day on campus. Finder contact. John
Maddox. VI 3-792. 10-4
LOST: Newton's Introduction to Metal-
lurgy on campus Friday. R. K. Franklin.
VI 3-7750. 10-6
COMMUTERS—If you want to drive or
ride KC to Lawrence via 24-40 contact
Dick Fitzwater--engine school--Home
phone BE 8852. 10-7
PLASTIC RAINTCOAT: Found in Flint Hall classroom last week. Owner may have by identifying and paying for this ad. Inquire Room 111, Flint Hall 10-5
WANTED
FOUND
STENOGRAPHER-Permanent position for right person in long established Lawrence firm. Write Box L. N., University Daily Kansan, stating experience. 10-10
Tuesday. Oct. 4, 1955.
LAWRENCE
West 23rd - VI 3-2122
Student Spends 40 Hours Weekly Studying
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.—(L.P.)
The average undergraduate devotes a 40 hour week to academic pursuits, including 16 hours, 40 minutes attending classes and 26 hours, 22 minutes in class preparation. So says a recent report of how students spend their time at Douglass College.
For the purpose of the tabulation, a student's day was divided into
SHOWS AT 7:00 & 9:00
pam, Oread Room, Student Union. Speak-
ments interested are invited. Coffee
served.
Pre-Nursing Club, 4 p.m., Room 110.
Martha Elsa. Martha Elsa. speaker. Res-
reptitions.
NOW SHOWING
When the study was begun, a two-week period prior to spring vacation in March, 1954 was chosen—a time when the load of study and extra-curricular activities is at a peak. Students, representing all four classes, recorded daily activities for the two weeks and results were computed on the basis of a one-week period of 168 hours.
This decreasing average of hours spent in class from freshman to senior year develops from the fact that the actual academic load of class hours ranges from approximately 18 hours in the freshman year to 15 in the senior year. In relation to this same comparison, freshmen spent the most hours in class preparation, which includes not only text book study, but musical instrument practice and extra hours devoted to laboratory work, while seniors showed the least time in study. However averages vary only two hours among the four classes, freshmen, spending 27 hours, 9 minutes studying; sophomores, 27 hours, 4 minutes; juniors, 25 hours, 49 minutes; and seniors, 25 hours, 25 minutes.
BOX OFFICE OPEN 6:30 — COLOR CARTOON
nine categories including class attendance and study preparation. The general average of time spent in classes, which are conducted five and one-half days a week, breaks down to show that freshmen spent the most time, or 18 hours, 6 minutes a week.
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New Fall & Winter Hours: Mon. thru Fri. — 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
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A UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL PICTURE
GRANADA HEALTHFULLY RECIROBERATED
Dial VI 3-5788