Samuel Johnson And the Situation Surrounding His Writing On “No. 91. Sufficiency of The English Language”
Samuel Johnson is celebrated as one of the iconic contributors to the English language through his various phenomenal writings such the “No. 91. Sufficiency of the English language” writing that featured on “The Idler” magazines on 12 th January 1760. The prevailing circumstances that led Samuel Johnson to compose the famous document was the increased influence of foreign languages on the English language (Johnson, 1760). Samuel Johnson, being one of the pillars of English language, perceived the influence of other foreign languages as a threat to the development of English language and its application in the society.
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The Authors Key Views and Ideologies in the Document “No. 91. Sufficiency of The English Language”
The main argument in the above-mentioned literature work of Samuel Johnson is that over concertation of the England citizens to foreign language would impair the development of the English language. In his document, the author argues that, “It is common to overlook what is near, by keeping the eye fixed upon something remote. In the same manner present opportunities are neglected, and attainable good is slighted” (Johnson, 1760). In this poetic statement, the author eludes that English civilians are overconcentrating with the foreign languages and overlooking the English language (Johnson, 1760). Through the statement, the author warns that achievable goals of developing English language would be jeopardized by the phenomenon.
Moreover, Samuel Johnson defends the sufficiency of English language by arguing that the users of language have not explored it the fullest. In his writing, the author argues that “the riches of the English language are much greater than they are commonly supposed. Many useful and valuable books lie buried in shops and libraries, unknown and unexamined (Johnson, 1760). The statement of the author depicts that the users and critics of the English language have not exhausted on exploring the various facets of the language.
The Authors Style of Writing the Target Audience
The style that Samuel Johnson adapts in writing the “No. 1 Sufficiency of the English Language” is poetic. The author has used poetic style in developing his arguments in the above stated literature work. The justification for this argument is that the author has uses elusive methodology to portray the bigger picture of his main arguments. The target audience of the author in regard to the above stated document are fellow authors and curriculum developers. The justification of this claim is that the author has addressed the critics arguing that English language is not sufficient for learning. For Instance, in the text the author argues that, “To make the way to learning either less short or less smooth, is certainly absurd; yet this is the apparent effect of the prejudice which seems to prevail among us in favor of foreign authors” (Johnson, 1760). The statement of the author vehemently depicts that his target audience are the authors of books and various materials used in early learning in England.
My opinion of the Samuel Johnson’s writing
I find the writing relevant in to the context in which it was written. The author addresses genuine concerns that endangered the survival of the English language in the society of the time. Being a pillar of English language, the author defends the sufficiency of the language using substantive ideologies which are relevant even in today’s context.
The Relationship of Samuel Johnson’s Ideas with The Contemporary Situation
The arguments Samuel Johnson are relevant with the contemporary situation because many authors place less value on native languages compared to the foreign ones. Besides, many contemporary critics pointing at various insufficiencies of languages have not fully explored the various facets of the languages.
Reference
Johnson, S. (1760): No. 1 Sufficiency of English Language. THE IDLER. http://www.johnsonessays.com/the-idler/sufficiency-english-language/
