Ya know...when I was growing up there were plenty of people (and maybe still are) who initially state that we speak "American" in the US. They'd eventually concede that we actually speak English. But now that I'm older, I kind of wonder if a case could be made for speaking "American"? Is there enough of a difference? Or is it just patriotic rubbish?
It's like, I just love a cowboy
You know
I'm just like, I just, I know, it's bad
But I'm just like
Can I just like, hang off the back of your horse
And can you go a little faster?!
@Magi, @navi: given that American English is markedly different in terms of pronunciation, spelling, and patterns of speech, I think an argument does exist in terms of teaching/learning 'American' as opposed to British or Australian. Are they entirely different? No. Will a speaker of one understand the others? Possibly, but it depends on regional slang and/or speech pattern/word choices, and also the depths of the accent being taught.
Granted, to the complete beginner, the difference wouldn't be there, but in terms of a student actively looking to pick up an authentic American accent and natural vocabulary, i don't see how that's a problem. Same goes for the person describing their language as 'American' — at this point, it's kinda true IMO :3
BEST THREAD EVER future of NL >:3
[16:43] James: I should learn these site rules more clearly
[16:44] LztheBlehBird: James doesn't know the rules? For shame!!!
I think the argument (which is probably not clear in my post at all) is that it shouldn't be referred to as simply American, but rather American English.
QUEEN OF SASS
It's like, I just love a cowboy
You know
I'm just like, I just, I know, it's bad
But I'm just like
Can I just like, hang off the back of your horse
And can you go a little faster?!
@navi: didn't the sign ask for 'English and American', though? granted, i didn't see it for myself (and thus can't tell from the context whether it was written by a native English speaker or not), but from the sound of it, they're clearly asking for AmE as opposed to BrE or AuE. If they chopped it up a bit due to lack of finesse, more power to them for attempting to seek help for that, y'know? :3
also, given this thread, i thought the 'English' part was a given? Since we don't have an official language, a case could be made for 'American Spanish', 'American Creole', 'American this, that, and the other language' as well, but when people from outside countries think 'American', they think 'English'. You don't see East Asian businessmen learning French or Spanish in order to deal with American businessmen. You don't see workers at Indian call-centers taking classes and workshops to 'eradicate' their native accents in order to speak French or Spanish to American customers.
BEST THREAD EVER future of NL >:3
[16:43] James: I should learn these site rules more clearly
[16:44] LztheBlehBird: James doesn't know the rules? For shame!!!
no wonder i've always thought you were so awful. je déteste les ananas. :3 mangues aussi.
BEST THREAD EVER future of NL >:3
[16:43] James: I should learn these site rules more clearly
[16:44] LztheBlehBird: James doesn't know the rules? For shame!!!
oh snap, Morpheel's on the prowl! /me hides so she won't wind up banned D:
BEST THREAD EVER future of NL >:3
[16:43] James: I should learn these site rules more clearly
[16:44] LztheBlehBird: James doesn't know the rules? For shame!!!
@theblackdragon: You're spared this time, but I'll be watching you. ಠ_ಠ /does that thing where you point to your eyes and then to the person you're talking to.
I'm a journalism student so I naturally have some interest in writing. English isn't my native language but I have no problem writing in it. It might be interesting to do something in English and work in an English-speaking country for a few months.
Dost think lesseth of thee for scribing with electrons and nost quill? Thou vernacular pleaseth, mechanical ascription without. Forsooth, hope yet dwells within thy language of Brittanica!
"Put. That. Coffee. Down. Coffee's for closers only."
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Topic: Who likes English and writing?
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