On Tue, Apr 03, 2001 at 12:36:32PM +0100, Michael G Schwern wrote:
> While we're on the subject of languages and consistency... while its
> debatable whether or not a language should remain internally
> consistent, it should most definately remain consistent amongst its
> dialects.
>
> As an American currently working in Belfast, I'm constantly being
> reminded of the saying "Two cultures seperated by a common language".
> Some examples...
>
> "Going to roll me a fag" or "Let's go smoke a fag" translate to fairly
> violent acts in American English.
>
> "I went downtown yesterday and had a good craic." (that's prounounced
> "crack") Uttering this too loud in the States could lead to prison.
Which of course leads to the (British) saying (about USians):
"We have everything in common, except, of course, the language."
Abigail
