Trading clarity for creativity

If there's one thing that makes life especially difficult for the proofreader or editor, it's that the English language is in a constant state of change. Unlike the French, we have nothing like the Académie française to give definitive rulings on grammar, etc.

Would we be better off if we did?

Well, life might certainly be a lot simpler. There might also be a benefit in diplomatic and legal circles. French is widely regarded as the international language of diplomacy, partly because of the precision of the language, in contrast to the ambiguity often found in English. This must be due in part to the fact that it's possible to identify a single 'correct' version of French at any one time. In theory, it advances much as a computing language does, in carefully defined steps, as opposed to the gradual changes that take place in English. Of course, it's not quite as simple as that, and 'unauthorised' new words do effectively enter the French language, but the existence of the Académie at least means that it's possible to get a definitive answer when one is required.

The difficulty in English is magnified because a lot depends on the context. What might be acceptable in a novel written for teenagers may not be acceptable in an academic textbook. Knowing where to draw the line takes more than a knowledge of language and grammar; it also requires an understanding of the cultural setting in which a particular piece of writing will be read.

But it's possible that this great weakness in the English language is also its greatest strength. Ambiguity allows for creativity. The ease with which new words enter the language (and with which grammatical rules can become eroded) allows for new forms of expression.