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Philosophy 101
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Is American English the Real McCoy??
| Philosophy 101 |
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Is American English the Real McCoy?? |
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berengar Member
since 2004-01-02
Posts 86 |
"We are no more bound by Johnson's Dictionary, than by the Cannon (sic) Law of England...I have a good as right to make a Word as that Pedant Bigot Cynic and Monk." {taken from a letter by John Adams (second President of the USA) to Jefferson (third president of the USA) 1813.} Need we any more proof that American English is one large step removed from Standard English?? This is intended to be a lighthearted frolic in the undergrowth of trans-continental linguistic rivalry. |
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Ringo 
since 2003-02-20
Posts 3684Saluting with misty eyes |
The American language is only based on English, and not actually English... The American culture is so built with other nationalities and other nation's traditions and customs that it is inevitable their language and culture and beliefs are going to find their way into the language. And that influence is different depending on what part of the country you are from... just as it is in almost every nation you would travel to... including England. Therefore, it would be hard to define any language that is heavily influenced by the Irish, Italians, Polish, Orientals of all sorts, Mexicans, Cubans, and all of the others who ventured here as English at all... Just my thoughts, anyhow. Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Hey Ringo...what happened to the Germans, Russians, Spaniards, Mexicans, French, Norwegians, and Native Americans?  [and I know I'm missing some, too!] |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
If you don't like to follow the rules of poetry there is free verse; if you don't like to follow the rules of English there is American English. |
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Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
LOL.. Ess... English.. American English.. Autralian English... Canadian English... I doubt they are all the same and doubt that any one of them less confusing than the other to one learning to speak them.. |
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Ringo
since 2003-02-20
Posts 3684Saluting with misty eyes |
*slapping myself on the backl of the head* Sunshine, I don't know HOW I could have missed all of those particular nationalities. Oh, I know... I want to be just like my hero Mel Gibson and be accused of being anti-culture!!! lol Actually, the sad part is, I stopped writing nationalities because I couldn't come up with any more in my feeble lack-of brain!!! Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur |
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Opeth Senior Member
since 2001-12-13
Posts 1543The Ravines |
By jove, I don't think so. "If this grand panorama before me is what you call God...then God is not dead." |
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jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
Cap: Americans would put it this way: English.. British English.. Australian English... Canadian English...  Jim |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
English.. American English.. Autralian English... Canadian English... Since when was Canada/Canadian not part of America/American?! |
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Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
(chuckling) Jim.. you may be on to something.. Ess... Canadians have a form of english which in my experience differs from that in the States.. as for Canada being part of the Americas, of course it is, or at least was last I knew..to my knowledge continental drift has not divided Canada and the US into different land masses... |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
I was just pointing out the lack of distinction in the language. Why should it mean "United States" alone most of the time when one says "American" when America is much more than the United States? If people mean "United States" they should just say "United States( ' )"! Just a quibble.  |
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Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
Ess.. your quibble is well taken and not my intent to be arrogant in refererring to the US as America.. Perhaps we are conditioned to do so by songs such as America the Beautiful, etc as children... but no arrogance is intended nor disrespect for any of the other countries that make up the Americas... |
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berengar Member
since 2004-01-02
Posts 86 |
Isn't Canada a part of America that is clever enough not to send its taxes direct to Washington? |
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Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
(chuckling) from my understanding..Canadian taxes can be more of a burden than those in the US... so I'm not sure of the clever avoidance.... |
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Alicat Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094Coastal Texas |
There's all those other flavors (not flavours!) of English...and then there's Texan.  |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
Technically, I don't think there is any continent called America, though, collectively, North America, Central America, and South America are often referred to as the Americas. America is not a continent, but is simply short-hand for United States of America. Of course, that only raises the question, why didn't they call it the United States of North America? |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
Do you suggest America is an incontinent country ?! |
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muted
since 2004-01-15
Posts 2949Elapsing, Eclipsing, Evolving |
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