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Originally posted by arbiture
Originally posted by studio500
I appreciate English & US English both by way of spelling and pronunciation.
I do wonder however how these changes came about.
Could it have been due to early perhaps slightly illiterate settlers or could it have been the result of influence from other languages?
I'm facinated by language but in the end I think the US way just adds a little idividuality which I think is cool.
I would not say the reason was because settlers were any more or less literate, but a combination of the general diversity of where most American's originally came from; someplace else. And while there is no doubt what I call an American persona, a dominant national culture, there are very distinct regional differences. And for those of you (you know who you are) who love to deride my country, and use such worn-out lines as the only American "culture" can be found in a lab petri dish, let me ask this; Regardless of if you wear blue jeans or drink coca-cola, I assure you most people on Earth not living in a cave all their life KNOW WHAT THEY ARE! THAT is the culture that has conquered the world. Not our military, or god knows our politic's, but Starbucks. For me I prefer if we do anything that is "imperial," I much prefer it not be "take over, but take-out".
Most Americans until well into the 20th century came from England, Ireland, and Germany&Italy. In that order. Keeping in mind dialects morph for a lot of reasons, our country was much larger and had many more isolated areas then say the UK. In fact in Minnesota you could hear people speak German, along of course with English, in the far western Minneapolis metro area, (say 50 miles west) and many rural areas well into the 1960s. Also Americans are just that because, we adapt to our culture by contributing to it's linguistic diversity. How and why do you think we "invent" so many new words in "our English" every year? Because we make up new words when we need to, or in socio-linguistic's the spirit "move's us". New technology and change's in society dictate what we need to do, and being creative people we just do it. And that also means regional diversity, though because our communications has become more real time, hence certain aspect's of our national-social mosaic is more amorphous then say 30 years ago it's still considerable, and typical.
Also from my point of view, and I have more living relatives in the UK and Germany then I do at home, I find it interesting there is still such a preoccupation on class, almost akin to a caste system in England as compared to the US. I noticed the same as much in New Zealand, though not as much in Australia when I lived down there for several years. (By the way I learned in my view more about my own country when I lived overseas then I ever would have imagined. I'm glad I took two years to study in Australia when given the chance. I learned not just about that country but a lot about that was an eye opener, and a gift unto itself) Needless to say the "variation" of English in Australia was, well Australian. And though spelling down under is in effect "British English" the fact that the spelling has not changed for the most part is Australia never broke from England forcibly. But just try suggesting there is no-such-thing as an Australian culture. Where ever you come from, it'll be a long swim home, if you survive long enough to try. Perhaps the reason Americans spell words more phonetically, the way they "sound". Perhaps because of the influence of so many different different language's from immigrants, and the fact we both commandeer and invent words as we feel like it, is a good sign.
Language evolves because evolution is as much a part of linguistics as bacteria, or anything Darwin was honest and smart enough to recognize, and brave enough to talk about. One thing is unmistakable. A diverse and evolving organism or society is a much more robust, and stronger, capable, compared to so-called "pure" entities.edit on 26/11/11 by arbiture because: word-fart. Hey, it's late and I'm tired, OK?
Originally posted by stumason
reply to post by arbiture
Not quite sure why you think there is a class/caste system in the UK. A caste system would have people born into a system where social mobility was impossible, like India. The UK has no such thing. The illegitimate offspring of a chavy mother can rise to be CEO of a FTSE 100 if he applies himself. Likewise, the son of a CEO could find himself homeless and broke.
Originally posted by stumason
reply to post by steveknows
I never criticised Ozzy rules or anything else, nor did I defend Sherlock, just pointed out he usually adopts a rather dry, ironic style of posting which seems to have provoked a similiar response.
Never the less, what your saying is "but he started it first!" and retaliate against a whole group rather than the person, rather than just rising above it. You obviously got offended by his comments, but felt it okay to stoop to the same level and rail against others who have no beef with Oz. I like Oz!
Originally posted by stumason
reply to post by steveknows
Er, ok... That makes no sense at all... Besides, only ministers get cars, the other 500 useless morons in the Commons make their own way to "work". Some cycle, others walk, others catch the train. What's your point?
Originally posted by Frira
reply to post by eightfold
What a delight! Thanks.
For one thing, I just learned that it is apparently only in America that people "could care less." Drives me nuts-- at least half say it.
Now, if he can convince everyone-- and I'll know-- I am willing to come over and show you that meat is for barbeque and not for boiling.
I only caught the worm thing at the end-- so must watch it again tomorrow to see what else I may have missed.
Give my best to the Queen.
Originally posted by 31Bravo
Originally posted by Skittle
I speak American, not English.
Really? Can you translate the above from English to American then please?
Originally posted by mr-lizard
Originally posted by 31Bravo
Originally posted by Skittle
I speak American, not English.
Really? Can you translate the above from English to American then please?
Originally posted by Frira
Originally posted by mr-lizard
Originally posted by 31Bravo
Originally posted by Skittle
I speak American, not English.
Really? Can you translate the above from English to American then please?
Soon to as eat a bug. I reckon I could give 'er a whirl. Which'n' parts you want'n' parsed fer ya?edit on 26-11-2011 by Frira because: missing quote
Originally posted by steveknows
Originally posted by Frira
reply to post by eightfold
What a delight! Thanks.
For one thing, I just learned that it is apparently only in America that people "could care less." Drives me nuts-- at least half say it.
Now, if he can convince everyone-- and I'll know-- I am willing to come over and show you that meat is for barbeque and not for boiling.
I only caught the worm thing at the end-- so must watch it again tomorrow to see what else I may have missed.
Give my best to the Queen.
I was wondering abut that because in Australia it's "couldn't care less"