On May 26, 2011, at 7:16 PM, Andrew Fildes wrote:
> The language is English, OK? Ergo, the English know how to use it properly.
Now I know there are a whole host of fallacies to go with this one. Just can't
think 'em up at the moment. <g>
Know how to use it properly? Hell, son, I've been to England. Besides, it's not
purely English anymore, English requires a modifier, as in British English or
American English or Indian English. Evolution, you know? Never mind that it
derived from German, and was further "enhanced" by Norman French.
You sound like one of those French Defenders of the Language, y'know, sticks in
the mud who get their knickers in a wad when someone tries to import a foreign
term into the language. Ooops again. I meant to say panties in a wad. Neighbour
doesn't always have to be neighbour. If you chaps want to spell harbour with a
"u", that's okay with me. But I was raised with American English, tinted by
Southern Appalachian dialect. Haven't gotten over it. Don't plan ever to be
shed of it. <snicker>
Truth is, I rather enjoy British spellings, especially in British books. I hate
it when American publishers Americanize--ooops! Americanise--British books in
case we can't figure out what a tyre is, or get confused about cookies and
biscuits. It is a common language that divides us, as WC once said, and so be
it. The internet brings it to our attention on a daily basis. I say embrace our
differences. Our strength is our diversity. That which does not evolve becomes
extinct.
On this list we are evolution in action!
--Bob (not your uncle)
--
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