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Language standardization and the Industrial Revolution

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  • Leonard Dudley

Abstract

Why did the countries with the highest literacy rates fail to contribute to the innovations of the Industrial Revolution? Recent empirical research shows that people tend to mistrust those perceived to speak with an accent. Here the hypothesis of a link between language, trust and innovation is tested with a new data set comprising 201 urban regions and 117 important innovations between 1700 and 1850. In the three states that contributed almost all of these innovations (Britain, France and the USA), rising literacy was merely the first step toward the formation of large networks of people speaking standardized languages. These networks proved particularly important for advances requiring collaboration. Elsewhere, where language standardization was delayed, innovation also came later.

Suggested Citation

  • Leonard Dudley, 2017. "Language standardization and the Industrial Revolution," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 69(4), pages 1138-1161.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:oxecpp:v:69:y:2017:i:4:p:1138-1161.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/oep/gpw059
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. DUDLEY, Leonard & RAUH, Christopher, 2018. "Innovation growth clusters: Lessons from the industrial revolution," Cahiers de recherche 2018-14, Universite de Montreal, Departement de sciences economiques.
    2. Morgan Kelly & Joel Mokyr & Cormac Ó Gráda, 2023. "The Mechanics of the Industrial Revolution," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 131(1), pages 59-94.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • N11 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913
    • N13 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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