In Defence of Plain English: The Decline and Fall of Literacy in Canada

Paul D. McEwan is a chartered accountant in Toronto.

This book can be roughly divided into two parts. The first 14 chapters
highlight and correct errors in grammar and usage commonly printed in
newspapers, or heard in everyday conversation or on the CBC. The
remaining 10 chapters warn of the consequences and give examples of
imprecise or deceitful use of language in modern music and poetry,
slang, professional jargon, and political dialogue. Branden, a writer
and environmentalist, has taught English at the secondary and
post-secondary levels for many years. From her teaching experience, she
has drawn many (often humorous) examples of bad writing for use in this
book.

The book is not a reference manual; it is neither a Fowler’s nor a
Practical Stylist. However, Branden’s goal appears to be broader than
simply pointing out language errors. Instead, she warns broadcasters,
newspaper editors, and members of the educational establishment that the
English language in Canada is in a severe state of decline, if not
demise. The reason for this state, as Branden sees it, is that
high-school English teaching is not treated as a sufficiently high
priority, and that because of financial pressures and professorial
snobbism, universities are not an effective safety net to catch
high-school graduates with substandard language skills.

Although Branden at times appears to be preaching to the converted, the
litany of “crimes against the language” in the first part of the
book does serve as a useful check on one’s own language habits. It is
probably true that in the latter part of the book, Branden takes the
opportunity to outline her personal dislikes in the realm of music,
politics, and literature. However, by using contemporary examples of
pseudo-literature and political doublespeak, she argues persuasively
that the principal cause of sloppy thinking is sloppy language, and that
the use of language for truly evil purposes is a danger that did not end
with World War II.