Which best describes the Inkhorn controversy?

• A. A movement to standardize spelling
• B. A movement to Latinize English
• C. A period of pride in English leading to borrowing and coinage
• D. A ban on foreign words

Answer: (C)

At the heart of this item is understanding that the Inkhorn controversy concerns whether English should welcome words borrowed from Latin and Greek to name new ideas and things, and how that reflects the language’s development. It was seen by many writers as a sign of English’s growing prestige to borrow and coin terms, especially in fields like science, law, and scholarship. This sense of pride in English’s ability to expand and enrich itself is the best fit for describing the period. It isn’t mainly about standardizing spelling, Latinizing English, or banning foreign words—the debate centers on the value and impact of importing vocabulary to enlarge the language.