“‘Good English’ is whatever educated people talk; so that what is good in one place or time would not be so in another.”
Image credits：Aronsyne,”Lewis, age 48″,CC BY-SA 4.0,C.S.-Lewis – C. S. Lewis – Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- November 29, 1898 – November 22, 1963
- Born in Ireland
- Writer, scholar
- Had a major influence on fantasy literature and religious thought through his many works, including the Chronicles of Narnia series and The Poetics of Christianity
Quote
“‘Good English’ is whatever educated people talk; so that what is good in one place or time would not be so in another.”
Explanation
In this quote, C. S. Lewis argues that the concept of “good English” is subjective and shaped by the language norms of particular times, places, and social groups. What is considered proper or acceptable English usage in one period or community is not necessarily the same in another. “Good English” is not an absolute standard but rather a reflection of the language that educated or socially influential people are using in a given context. For Lewis, this understanding of language suggests that linguistic standards are not fixed but rather evolve based on cultural and historical influences. This view challenges the idea of a universal or timeless definition of what constitutes proper usage and instead acknowledges that language is dynamic, flexible, and influenced by the changing norms of society.
Historically, Lewis often wrote about the evolution of language and the role of education in shaping linguistic norms. As a scholar of English literature, he was keenly aware of how language reflects the culture and social structures of a particular time. He understood that the language of the past, which might have been considered “proper” in its own day, could sound outdated or incorrect by the standards of later generations. In this quote, Lewis highlights the fluid nature of language rules, suggesting that what is deemed acceptable in one era might be completely different in another. This reflects his broader belief that language should be understood not as a rigid set of rules but as a living, evolving tool for communication.
In the modern context, this quote challenges the tendency to view language as something that must be fixed or uniform across different regions or time periods. It speaks to the diversity of language usage across cultures, generations, and social classes, particularly in an era of global communication where dialects, slang, and regional variations are more visible and accessible than ever. Lewis’s words encourage us to appreciate the fluidity and contextual nature of language, reminding us that what is considered “correct” or “good” English is constantly evolving. This view invites a more inclusive and adaptive approach to how we perceive and use language, acknowledging its rich diversity rather than imposing rigid, outdated standards.
