Job Discussion Forums

[johnslat]

Dear Capt Lugwash,


"Chief among other native English dialects are Canadian English and Australian English, which rank third and fourth in the number of native speakers. For the most part, Canadian English, while featuring numerous British forms alongside indigenous Canadianisms, shares vocabulary, phonology and syntax with American English, leading many to recognize North American English as an organic grouping of dialects.[10] Australian English likewise shares many American and British English usages alongside plentiful features unique to Australia, and retains a significantly higher degree of distinctiveness from both the larger varieties than does Canadian English."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_American_and_British_English

Regards,
John

[Capt Lugwash]

Your point being?

Wikipedia (which can't even spell its name right) is the sole authority?

Give over.

[johnslat]

Dear Capt Lugwash,

If you can't see my point (and Wikipedia lists its sources), it must be because I'm writing in American.

Regards,
John

[Sashadroogie]

Some interesting technical terms abounding here. Top class linguistics!

[Capt Lugwash]

Quite possibly. I do not subscribe to Wiki for anything other than a quick reference. I prefer my facts to be just that, facts and not somewhere you, I and Joe Soap can amend only to be later emended by an unpaid volunteer.

American is an alien language and should be recognised as such. After all, with the help of the French you won your independence (ungrateful to say the least) and then proceeded to snub the "special relationship" so why on earth don;t you simply declare your language to be American? America thinks it governs the world anyway so what is there to lose?

[Sashadroogie]

Facts are fairly thin on the ground here : )

But the opinions are STRONG!

[Capt Lugwash]

Didn't take long for the omniprescent wasp to come to the jam jar. There is absolutely nothing under the sun it has no opinion on, is not an expert on or is better qualified for.

All hail!

[Sashadroogie]

Facts still thin. But the ante is upped...

[Capt Lugwash]

The facts are there for anyone to see. American uses different words and expressions or do I really have to start listing them?

Probably, so here are a few:

Horseback riding/horse riding (we normally only ever ride on the back of a horse)
Sidewalk/kerb
Progrfam/programme (except when referring to computers)
Hood/bonnet
Trunk.boot
Faucet/tap
Restroom/toilet
Fender/bumper
Wiener/God knows

The list goes on.

The facts are that the USA would never have won the war of independence were it not for French aid and yes, recently the special relationship was snubbed by I believe Kerry but of course you know everything so I am farting into a force ten gale.

[Sashadroogie]

What language do they speak up north? Those canny fellows with their thees and thous. Different pronouns!

[Capt Lugwash]

I do believe they are not nouns? And besides that, thee and thou for your information (although as the board expert you already know) are quite accepted albeit archaic nomenclatiure for us.

[wangdaning]

Are you sure the terms you expressed are used throughout the UK/US?

Of course, we use horse riding, how else would you ride a horse if not on its back. Never in my life have I heard someone say horse back riding (I could imagine some people from a large city saying it though).

The language is English, I would doubt the sincerity of calling it that at this time. It seems more like a mix of non-English languages. What does native English sound like? I mean without all the borrowed words and grammar. Is it Celtic? Or are you just pretending?

[likwid_777]

Don't worry, the interconnectedness of the world is going to slowly diminish the differences of these dialects anyway. I remember when "bro" started to be used widely Down Under, many were deemed "wiggas" for using this type of 'Merican talk. Now almost every country uses it, no big deal. Those two to five hundred years which we colonials/convicts were away from the mother ship was what gave us the different accents, idioms and slang. With the internet and exported TV and film, English is only going to become more homogenised. The Aussie dialect is only the most "distinctive" because Brits and 'Mericans are not exposed to Australian TV, film and music. Aussies grow up with a lot of British and 'Merican film, TV and music, so we know it, and the accents. Even if Aussies make a film or music video clip, it is often tailored for the 'Merican audience. For example, I saw a music video the other day where cash was handed over in the clip, and the wad was of green bills, not our own colourful notes.

We are familiar with your accents and sayings, whereas you are not familiar with ours. As (post-European invasion/settlement) Australians try to move away from a "national identity" which met its peak in the 1980s (in my opinion), these unique aspects of our language are being used less and less. Most (sub)urban Aussies decided that our identity was too base, backward or loutish, and now want to be "sophisticated" ie *beep* men with no balls toting man bags. So what I'm trying to say is, that even if one uses Aussie slang, he will often be met with a raised eyebrow from the new wave of Australians, who are disappointed that someone is highlighting a charade of sorts.

[Sashadroogie]

[Sashadroogie]

Nomenclatiure? Is that a typo or an archaic spelling?