This work investigates the sociopolitical and linguistic tensions surrounding the definition and enforcement of a standardized form of the English language. The authors, Richard J. Watts and Tony Bex, draw upon historical linguistic data and contemporary sociolinguistic theory to argue that the concept of 'Standard English' is a social construct rather than a fixed, objective reality. They examine how institutional power structures maintain linguistic hierarchies and the subsequent impact these standards have on education and social mobility.

Experts in the field of linguistics recognize this text as a significant contribution to the ongoing discourse regarding language policy and social stratification. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which makes it a valuable resource for students and researchers of sociolinguistics.