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- Thread starter Chas
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MarkW
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Classic!
I worked in the states for a while and clearly remember being asked the following
"What Language Do Y'all speak in England?" - well English........................thats why its called English!.
This was followed up with "Do y'all have TV and Radio?"
This came from a lovely lady in her 70's who hadn't left the state in her lifetime (the state border was less than 10 miles away!)
I worked in the states for a while and clearly remember being asked the following
"What Language Do Y'all speak in England?" - well English........................thats why its called English!.
This was followed up with "Do y'all have TV and Radio?"
This came from a lovely lady in her 70's who hadn't left the state in her lifetime (the state border was less than 10 miles away!)
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I used to date an Irish girl who did the usual meet the American family trip and she hated every minute of it because everyone she met assumed the potato famine and resulting starvation is a current problem . I guess being about 6 stone wringing wet with a name like Foxy Americans would be keen to feed her 
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Excellent, this is always a little personal gripe of mine (and inevitably others I presume).
Americans speak American. It is loosely based on the English language, but over the years it has mutated (as it's natural for all languages to do over time) into what it is today.
But, by that process, it's not English anymore.
I was working with an American a few years ago, he was a great chap and we had a lot in common and got on fine, but I reminded him of the above and he couldn't understand my point. So I gave him an example. "do you realize" I said, "that you have just said to me... the Contractor received the instruction off of the Engineer". He blushed a bit and thought for a while, then said "what's wrong with that?"
Now I'm no genius, and I suffered in school from not paying attention to (or not being taught) English grammar lessons, either way I don't know the technicalities of language, adverbs, past pronouns and the like, but I do know, from extensive use, what is right and wrong, and "off of" in that order and in that context, is plain wrong. It doesn't actually mean anything in its own right.
I said "why not...the Contractor received the instruction from the Engineer", it's simpler and more importantly it's correct".
He just laughed and still to this day I don't think he understood my point. My job (and his) is predominantly writing technical, contractual and legal reports, so it's quite important to get the writing as "proper" as we're able in a formal document.
I've drifted from the point of Chas' post, sadly. But the facts remain and my gripe continues. Americans are free to speak whatever language they wish, but please, don't let them pretend it's English.
Americans speak American. It is loosely based on the English language, but over the years it has mutated (as it's natural for all languages to do over time) into what it is today.
But, by that process, it's not English anymore.
I was working with an American a few years ago, he was a great chap and we had a lot in common and got on fine, but I reminded him of the above and he couldn't understand my point. So I gave him an example. "do you realize" I said, "that you have just said to me... the Contractor received the instruction off of the Engineer". He blushed a bit and thought for a while, then said "what's wrong with that?"
Now I'm no genius, and I suffered in school from not paying attention to (or not being taught) English grammar lessons, either way I don't know the technicalities of language, adverbs, past pronouns and the like, but I do know, from extensive use, what is right and wrong, and "off of" in that order and in that context, is plain wrong. It doesn't actually mean anything in its own right.
I said "why not...the Contractor received the instruction from the Engineer", it's simpler and more importantly it's correct".
He just laughed and still to this day I don't think he understood my point. My job (and his) is predominantly writing technical, contractual and legal reports, so it's quite important to get the writing as "proper" as we're able in a formal document.
I've drifted from the point of Chas' post, sadly. But the facts remain and my gripe continues. Americans are free to speak whatever language they wish, but please, don't let them pretend it's English.
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Chas
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Actually it was a trick question, The United States does not have a national official language; nevertheless, English (specifically American English) is the primary language used for legislation, regulations, executive orders, treaties, federal court rulings, and all other official pronouncements.
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_the_United_States
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_the_United_States
Pat
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English Grammar. A Lesson to be learned.
A secretary got an expensive brand named pen from her boss as a Christmas present.
She sent him a "thank you note" by e-mail.The boss's wife read the e-mail and filed for divorce.
The e-mail said:
"Your penis wonderful and I enjoyed using it last night.It has an extraordinary smooth flow and a firm stroke.I loved it's perfect size and grip.I felt like I was in heaven when using it.Thanks a lot"
Moral: A " space" is an essential part of English Grammer.
A secretary got an expensive brand named pen from her boss as a Christmas present.
She sent him a "thank you note" by e-mail.The boss's wife read the e-mail and filed for divorce.
The e-mail said:
"Your penis wonderful and I enjoyed using it last night.It has an extraordinary smooth flow and a firm stroke.I loved it's perfect size and grip.I felt like I was in heaven when using it.Thanks a lot"
Moral: A " space" is an essential part of English Grammer.
Ah, I see what you mean Pat...
The penis mightier than the s word.
The penis mightier than the s word.
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