Bob W wrote:
Hi,
*no such thing as "British" spelling. There's American English, and
then English used by everybody else in the English speaking world.
"British spelling" implies the non-American version is the minority
version, where in fact the opposite is true.
And that's my pet rant, guys!
ERNR
Well said! Mine too, and thanks for saying it. It DID need saying.
I'm sorry, but there is such a thing as British spelling, and British
English, and British English is a minority variety (I think Indian English
has the most speakers).
Especially among the customer service caste! ;-)
I used to pride myself that I could attune my "ear" to almost any
variation of English pretty quickly, but as I age (how unusual!) I find
it harder and harder to understand Customer Service personnel! sighhh.
There are also such things as Jamaican English, Australian English, Canadian
English, African American English, Scots English, Estuary English, ... I
could go on. Each of them has its own spelling varieties too. Not only are
there geographically distinct varieties of English (and any other widespread
language) but there are also varieties distinct to each generation within,
and to some extent across, the geographical varieties.
Yes, for the most part, I do think you're right. However, I know of NO
excuse for spelling "lens" with an "e" on the end!
As has been said, it's repetitiveness that brings "legitimacy." Not it's
correctness... Just like lies repeated over and over...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0521629942/102-4625644-4597749
?v=glance
One of the reasons for the richness of English is that nobody has ever
successfully legislated to keep it 'pure', so it just goes its own way.
Bob
The French, and especially the Quebecians (I just KNOW I spelled that
wrong!) would agree! Talk about a national "pet peeve!"
Ah well...
keith whaley
