The debates surrounding "Standard English", grammar and correctness are as intense today as ever and extend far beyond an academic context, as shown by the Ebonics controversy in Oakland, California. Standard English: The Widening Debate draws together leading international scholars who place these debates in a historical, social and international context. Standard English traces the notion of "Standard English" from the practices of late 17th century grammarians to the present day and explores the definitions of "Standard English", with particular attention paid to distinctions between spoken and written English. The authors also show how "Standard English" is viewed very differently in the US versus Britain and reveal how it is used as a marker for different forms of social discrimination. An accessible, important work, Standard English is essential to anyone interested in language and discrimination.