Question

How had Dr. Johnson's views changed between the 1747 and 1755?

Accepted Answer

He had initially described that "the chief intent is to preserve the purity" of language, and stay away from words perceived as foreign.However, after the writing of his dictionary he had softened and showed considerable knowledge of the causes and effects of language contact and change, acknowledging the inevitable 'decay', as he put it, of language.

Front	How had Dr. Johnson's views changed between the 1747 and 1755?
Back	He had initially described that "the chief intent is to preserve the purity" of language, and stay away from words perceived as foreign. However, after the writing of his dictionary he had softened and showed considerable knowledge of the causes and effects of language contact and change, acknowledging the inevitable 'decay', as he put it, of language.

Dr Johnson's Views Changed Initially Chief Intent Preserve