I just logged in to my facebook account today, and there was this new translator tool that popped up to choose my language. Just like I always do, I chose English (UK), which led me its page where there were forum topics, one of which was Americans cannot speak English. That made for quite an interesting reading. I personally prefer the Brit version. It's what we grow up learning and it's what we should talk. American English has its own merits as well, considering they spell how they hear which makes things simple. But the reality is that basically an average American is not very smart and that's why they very conveniently made spellings simpler. Brit English on the other hand is complicated, yet a beautiful language. I may not exactly be the best person, or anywhere close to good in proper English, but I'd try to sound(not with the accent of course) and write as much British as possible. Frankly calling trousers pants, or boots trunks does not make a difference, or neither is the usage of color for colour and zee for zed too much of a crime, but it's just the portrayal of may be this new dialect 'American' as the correct form of English through different forms of media that tends to put people like me off. I once had a friend in school say, India should follow American English since it is a whole lot easier, easier it might be, but is it right? Perhaps eventually one day 'American' might take over English, but I hope that day is far away, for English English is how the language is supposed to be spoken, written and used. God save the queen, and her language.
4 comments:
now something that is inevitable in language is change. I cannot think of any language that has remained pure.( without even the prestine example of sanskrit, which i can say has only least changed). English a hundred or more years ago is classified archaiac today and is continuously being phased out. The world digs a lot of american, the world will change. Change is inevitable. Embrace the inevitable.
yea.. the american's take on english is so much simpler, and makes so much more sense. the only reason india is stuck with british english is because we were once a british colony. and just because american english is easier doesn't make it *not* right. everything changes with time, as should language so yea, like anupam said.. embrace the inevitable. as far as i see it, i hope 'that' day comes quick.
groan.
America america!
Even I prefer English as opposed to American, but what we should fear is SMSish. I'd take even American over that. At least the words are whole.
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