02 Jun 08
you may change it as much as you like as long as one can understand you. any language is a means of communication and whether you spell realize or realise one would still understand the meaning.
however if you ask who should own the English language, the answer is obvious: the English. Americans speak English not american, they just like to change it so they feel like they are not subordinate to the brits.
02 Jun 08
Originally posted by FMFi am english but the language belongs to the world, in fact, the world can have it, there are too many english who have no idea how to use the language correctly
Who owns the English language?
Do non-native speakers have the right to change English?
There was an op-ed piece in the English language 'Jakarta Post' yesterday that suggested that, because English is the "world language", everybody owns it and "local Englishes" are just as valid as native speaker versions. He went on to suggest that this should - to some ...[text shortened]... p://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/05/31/we-have-right-change-english.html
02 Jun 08
Originally posted by eatmybishopWhereas you obviously do?
i am english but the language belongs to the world, in fact, the world can have it, there are too many english who have no idea how to use the language correctly
A question then. How do you use a language "properly"?
This sentans no good cause you no understand it? But understand yes? So is
good? Is proper English if understand yes?
02 Jun 08
1 edit
Originally posted by FabianFnas...but with the new, fresh and crispy flavour of America!
American English, s.v.p.
The American variant of English is still English...
I dare anyone and say that one day USA:ans will have invented the
language all together. Who's gonna believe you when you say: "But... but...
it's true. English originiated in England. I swear."
"Yeah, right." 🙄
02 Jun 08
Originally posted by JigtieEnglish is what the vast majority of English speakers say it is. Everyone's a critic and its a case of whatever sounds genuine and stops people from making jokes is probably English. The rest is just a sad caricature of the real thing. Yes it may be effective enough to order off a McDonald's menu, but you wouldn't let the same person deliver your eulogy would you?
Whereas you obviously do?
A question then. How do you use a language "properly"?
This sentans no good cause you no understand it? But understand yes? So is
good? Is proper English if understand yes?
04 Jun 08
2 edits
Originally posted by JigtieYes but its like the car analogy. Sure a 20 year old buzz box is transport and will get you from A to B, but its hardly the preferred transport for a night out on the town.
I don't see why not. 😕
It's the content of what you say, I say. As long as I can understand what
you're saying it's proper english to me.
English has a lot of subtlety(like every other language no doubt) and if people spend a lot of effort developing a stream of it away from the main river, then they would suffer all the inconvenience of not being understood or not being able to comprehend themselves when they leave their stream and join the traffic on the main thoroughfare.
Now if for some reason their stream becomes as important and fast running as the main river, so that its influence demands more people recognize its peculiarities, well then thats just progress. A natural evolution that like the tide, no amount of argument will ever stop.
just as an aside, after 5 years of MS word and Google underlining everything as incorrectly spelled, I almost doubt that I could spell correctly according to the rules of the Queen's English. But adapting to American that has a vast oeuvre of written and spoken word as well as a vast array of audio visual entertainments to back up its adaptation of the mother tongue, at least has enough context for an ordinary person to cope with the changes in meaning. Which other culture will have that advantage?
04 Jun 08
Originally posted by kmax87Strine of course.
After 5 years of MS word and Google underlining everything as incorrectly spelled, I almost doubt that I could spell correctly according to the rules of the Queen's English. But adapting to American that has a vast oeuvre of written and spoken word as well as a vast array of audio visual entertainments to back up its adaptation of the mother tongue, at leas ...[text shortened]... inary person to cope with the changes in meaning. Which other culture will have that advantage?
But specialised discourses will always require greater precision than Googlish.