Dissertations on the English Language, with Notes, Historical and Critical; to Which is Added, by Way of Appendix, an Essay on a Reformed Mode of Spelling, With Dr. Franklin's Arguments on that Subject

"Dissertations on the English Language, with Notes, Historical and Critical" by Noah Webster is an exploration of the English language during the late 1700s. The book critically looks at how the language is put together, how words are said, and why America should have its own version of English that's different from what's used in Britain. The book addresses common mistakes in language and pushes for a more formal and correct way to write and speak English. The author begins by explaining why he decided to write about English, talking about going from studying it in school to seeing how it's used by everyone. He worries about the awkwardness and mistakes he and others make when trying to use language correctly after being taught in school. Webster questions current grammar rules and talks about his own in-depth study of how language has grown and how words are spelled. The start of the book prepares the reader for a study of how language changes over time and how society affects it, while also arguing why it's important for America to develop its own special type of English.