Guides to ‘good usage’ have been part of the tradition of ‘standard English’ since the 17th century. Such works have been a commercial success and are as abundant today as in the past. What characterizes the tradition of these ‘bibles of usage’?

‘Language isn't used only for communication; it's also used as an instrument of political and social power.’ If this is so, is something that was common 150 years ago in the social power-plays of England repeating itself in black Africa?

Barry Tomalin presenter of BBC English by Radio's weekly magazine Speaking of English, talks to L G (Louis) Alexander, doyen of EFL coursebook writers.

When is ‘jargon’ simply necessary technical language, and when does technical language blur into unnecessary jargon? Teachers of English can help their students not only to deal with questions like these, but also to identify authentic bafflegab when they come across it.

Nowadays, especially in American books and periodicals, we see ‘anymore’ almost as often as ‘any more’. GERRY ABBOTT has looked at such new composite forms and speculates about where they might be going.

In a world where non-native users now outnumber the native speakers of English, bilingualism is an increasingly important matter. Below, two ‘balanced bilinguals’ talk about what having two equal languages means in both their public and private lives.

Is bilingualism an asset or a liability, and how should families in linguistically complex situations handle it?

‘Foul language’ seems essential to some and gives great offence to others. SHIRLEY E PECKHAM asks for a campaign to do something about it, especially in the young, and DAVID CRYSTAL adds a commentary that takes a clinical look at this ancient human predilection.

Seventh in our series on the literatures of English around the world: an outline of the growth of these literatures and of a critical response to them.

WHITNEY F BOLTON considers the extent to which words that are ‘usually’ nouns frequently function as verbs — and sometimes in rather unexpected ways.