In a message dated 02/03/2010 14:29:22 GMT Standard Time, dan_miso@yahoo.com writes:
Americans: Spell words differently, but still call it "English".
Brits: Pronounce their words differently, but still call it "English".
Canadians: Spell like the Brits, pronounce like Americans.
Although we kid Americans about their 'weird' spellings, they are correct 17th century English spellings. All those 'our' endings are Victorian bullshit creations that had nothing to do with 'English'. Similarly, I was taught that 'proper' grammar meant that one 'does not end a sentence with a preposition. ' Again, this was Victorian nonsense-proper 10th century Anglo-Saxon abounded with it. Just ask Tolkein.
'To be or not to be.'
Cheers; it was great to see athletes and fans from around the world as our guests.
Language evolves and it's healthy that it does so. Nothing stays the same forever and even glancing at a British newspaper from 30 years ago reveals a stangely archaic style of writing. I personally like the fact that 'bastard' was much more offensive 300 years ago than the infamous C word. So much so that in good old Londinium there was a street called Grope Cunt Lane frequented by prostitutes.