ABSTRACT
American-English is exemplified by variability and flexibility in pronunciation, grammar, and spelling. Although language purists throughout the centuries have encouraged the establishment of a formal “Academy” modeled after the French, no such governing structure has ever been developed. Americans, historically, value freedom and do not endorse any Standard English such as the “King’s English” spoken in Britain. Americans do use a variety of criteria to establish acceptable pronunciations and vocabulary necessary for communication.
