I posted this to Facebook earlier:
"I encountered *another* British English vs. American English 'debate'. I've concluded that the best response to the claim that
non-British variants of English are 'butchering' the language is to note
how many people want to speak English.
Many countries, including
ancients such as China and Iran, encourage English as a second language
to help their citizens succeed globally. If the 'cost' to Britain is
each country crafting its own variant(s), thus creating a 'unifying'
language, that's not a butchering - that's a bargain. The diversity of
English should be embraced not eschewed; equally, my hope is that other
countries' native languages do not lose their influences, as they are in
far more danger than English will ever face."
Fighting over whether or not "color" should have a U, if "Z" should be pronounced "zed" or if "pants" is interchangeable with "trousers" is petty and pointless in the long run.
I think the most important thing for people to realize is that languages evolve on their own time.
ReplyDeleteWhen someone says "that's not a word" doesn't make it so.
I completely agree!
Delete"That's not a word" - ha ha, yes, I've heard that one; if we'd gone by that argument language would never have evolved.
I spell colour the British way. I remember being lectured on that all of the time in 7th grade. They wanted me to spell it the American way. I didn't and still don't. I don't care. English is English - it's stupid in the long run... as long as you can get your point across.
ReplyDeleteSometimes people pick on spelling and pronunciation as a derailing tactic; they can't defeat what points you're making with a counter-argument so they attack writing style.
Delete