A Study on the Formative Development of Prescriptive Usage in the English Language during the Late Modern English Period

The present study delves into the developmental history of the prescriptive usage of the English language during the Late Modern English period (1700-1900), providing a comprehensive exploration of the standardization process of English language usage and norms prevalent during this era. By examining a diverse range of texts, including the proposal for an English academy, S. Johnson's dictionary, R. Lowth's and L. Murray's grammars, and the works of philosophical etymology by J. H. Tooke and R. C. Trench, from the 18th to the 19th centuries, the research seeks to elucidate the prescriptive practices that influenced the language standard. Moreover, Tooke's and Trench's 'etymological morality' came to be part of prescriptive usage in the 19th century as an era of moral and ethical philology. It was then a brief progression to viewing contemporary usage from an ethical perspective and endeavoring to mold it into its anticipated optimal and most ethical forms. This research will contribute to a deeper understanding of the linguistic dynamics that shaped Late Modern English and paved the way for subsequent grammatical developments. (Chungnam National University)