Report on Wallace's "Tense Present"

This article mainly addresses the issues brought about by the conflicting ideologies within the English language. More specifically, the article addresses the question of which is the most effective and correct way to handle contemporary American usage of the English language.

The author, David Foster Wallace, submits his idea of the "Democratic Spirit" as the answer to the question.

He defines the Democratic Spirit in the following way: "A Democratic Spirit is one that combines rigor and humility, i.e., passionate conviction plus sedulous respect for the convictions of others."

With this, he is referring to his belief that anyone in the position to effect the use of the language should genuinely enjoy the study of the English language, have no interest in furthering themselves, and truly be interested in the beliefs of others.

The author points to how liquid the English language is in its use, and also to the need for one official dialect. He also points out how most everyone has more than one dialect at their disposal, and the knowledge of when to use each. According to Wallace, Standard Written English is the default language used by those in power and those with a need for rhetoric.

Later in the article he brings up two opposing view points. One being Descriptivism, the other Prescriptivism. He picks apart each idea, and on a few occasions, responds directly to certain followers of the ideas in a negative manor.

However, he points to one person which he believes embodies his idea of the Democratic Spirit. He uses this man, by the name of Garner, to explain and exemplify his idea's usefulness.