What is the nature of American English in its most recent forms? How does generational distance affect changes in language? What is the relationship between digital culture and the forms of everyday and professional expression? How can the study of the history of English over past centuries help us understand the changes we see today? Seth Lerer, Distinguished Professor of Literature and Dean Emeritus of Arts and Humanities at UC San Diego, addresses these questions and provokes discussion about the most recent features of the American vernacular. (#37972)