Go back to bed Les, and get out the right side, he makes one spelling mistake and you go into a rant! I'm very surprised you didn't pull him up on the fact that he didn't capitalise Canterbury!

Language evolves, it always has and it always will do, if you actually understood our language then I think you'll find many words are taken from other languages!

Edited by R0NSKI (Sat 07-Sep-13 10:42:46)

In reply to a post by lelboy:

It may seem trivial but, along with "typed" text talk (emails etc), it just says that many of us are quite happy to see "our" language adulterated by the American influence.

Strangely enough its the UK english that has changed (often by french influence), the American english uses a lot of spellings that we used to use

In reply to a post by jchamier:

Strangely enough its the UK english that has changed (often by french influence), the American english uses a lot of spellings that we used to use

Many American English spellings were used in UK English as far back as the 14th Century.

So, why did you use english rather the English and french rather than French? You did spell American with a capitalised initial letter though.

Edited by MHC (Sat 07-Sep-13 16:53:13)

Ha!
I didn't notice the canterbury error...
Well, what I actually mean is that I did, but that had very little to do with my comments, and was most likely a typo, so I didn't bother to comment: typo's are easily forgiven - we're all guilty at some time or other. It's not a point-scoring exercise - as, I would have thought, been shown by my humorous .
The use of the spelling "fiber" was not a mistake - it was a choice, along with center, meter (when they mean length), cookie when they mean biscuit, chip when they mean crisp and god knows what else.
What it IS is quite serious is the fact that we ARE taking to using Americanisms and other sloppy language styles. I'm sure it's the pedant in me (grammar school educated, don'tcha know - but no "uni") that makes this irritate.
As a school governor I see, on a daily basis almost, children writing sentences which so often use things like "ur" for "you are/you're" & "wnt" for "went" plus many other types of corruption, on proper English Language exercises.
Would you think that would be acceptable, on the start to grown-up life and hopefully employment? Were I to be, perhaps, a potential employer, then I'd give short shrift to anyone who could not be bothered to use the language properly - either through lack of knowledge or laziness.
The issue isn't me being picky, but despairing at how easily even grown-ups (I assume) develop nonsensical, sheep like behaviour. Take a two second look at FaceBook to see what a nation of seeming illiterates we are.
Regarding how the Americans behave with speech issues - particularly the likes of George Bush Junior (nukular) - I have no real interest but, I hope they'll improve with time: they are, after all, a developing young country, so have a little excuse.........
No wrong side of the bed, just fed up with sloppiness - from wherever. Cheers, Les

Totally agree with you Les, I too was dragged up in a Grammar though I left before taking any exams, and therefore no Uni as well, but at least we were taught the three R's in a proper fashion, and I also have the spelling Bee, I hate that 'Aluminium' advert where he doesn't know the difference between an 'i' and a 'u', and was one of the people that complained about the advert, yet they still show it years later.

I also think it does make a difference when these people go looking for work and get knocked back, and most of it is just down to laziness, they cannot be bothered to look up to see how words are spelt correctly, if I'm not sure, I always check first, I've nearly made the same mistake with Fibre but checked first.

I do agree with Les in principle, but I think his rant was OTT for this forum and the one spelling error, had it been on Facebook or some other post with some of the terrible language you do see then I would have totally agreed.

I didn't make it to a grammar school, but both my daughters have, and I always try and make sure my spelling and grammar is correct, and often rely on spell checkers, which sometimes spell check in American Although I try and use English spellings, I don't see too much of a problem with using an American spelling, but I do dislike text speech and other weird words used any place other than a text.

It wasn't a rant, Ron............
You don't finish a rant with a smiley, surely?
No, my point was just that in these competitive times we find ourselves in now, we need to present ourselves in the best light - for our own good.
Purposely or lazily doing contrary things, making yourselves look childish or illiterate and adopting silly affectations, when you should know better, all go to your disadvantage. Well that's my Sunday rant over!

Cheers Bob.
Same here - financial issues prevented me continuing with my education. I try to understand more as I grow older, and that's partly why I get miffed at silliness.
Les (aka V Meldrew)

Just so.........