Sorry I couldn't keep up with the thread. We are in the process of finishing a move from our house to an apartment and I was...umm...detained.
This article and the discussion is very interesting to me. I have worked in radio, sound and music for over 30 years so perhaps that is the reason.
Is there a connection between the written and spoken word?
Documents from the Revolutionary period appear to be difficult for the average person today to comprehend. However the Founding Fathers wrote these documents (presumably - my take) for the common man.
Did they write as they spoke? If so, and if the language devolved, is it no wonder so many today do not grasp the documents of our foundation?
From Washington’s rules of civility.
>>7th Put not off your Cloths in the presence of Others, nor go out your Chamber half Drest.<<
Lots of good common language of the day (Not to mention manners we should all aspire to)
http://www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com/rules-of-civility-by-george-washington-1744.html