In the 19th century, experts expected English spoken in the British Isles and English spoken in North America to be mutually unintelligible over 100 years. Even more recently, considering the various regions where English is spoken (America, India, Africa, Australia...), experts thought something similar to what happen to Latin would happen to English: gradually separate and become distinct languages.
I've read this in books about languages, but there is an important factor: they were written before the boom of the Internet. So now I have to look at it from a completely different perspective: in this era of global communication, not only do people try to use a standard english to make themselves intelligible and to understand others from various parts of the globe, but also the more regional terms used in specific parts are more susceptible to be imported by other people living in distinct regions, making the language more uniform. At least that's my viewpoint. Do you have a different take?
(I'm very behind on my script, not just in words but especially in plot-terms. I'm still in the middle of the story and there's only one week left. (scream) There's no danger of me not reaching the 20,000 words by the 30th (I expect) and become an official winner, but then I have to promise myself to end the script even if it's past the deadline. I need to create NOW)
I've read this in books about languages, but there is an important factor: they were written before the boom of the Internet. So now I have to look at it from a completely different perspective: in this era of global communication, not only do people try to use a standard english to make themselves intelligible and to understand others from various parts of the globe, but also the more regional terms used in specific parts are more susceptible to be imported by other people living in distinct regions, making the language more uniform. At least that's my viewpoint. Do you have a different take?
(I'm very behind on my script, not just in words but especially in plot-terms. I'm still in the middle of the story and there's only one week left. (scream) There's no danger of me not reaching the 20,000 words by the 30th (I expect) and become an official winner, but then I have to promise myself to end the script even if it's past the deadline. I need to create NOW)
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5 comments:
there still are certain styles of spoken english that are unintelligible. for me atleast :)
your language - is quite impeccable devil. simple, crystal clear.
go write!
There you go...one of your characters could deliver a monlogue on language to another creating friction, education and contention.
Re: My Post - Mascherano is one of the higher profile examples but I think its happened with other players here in the UK too.
I find it interesting the spellings of certain words in the UK and US like...color(US) and colour(UK).
The English arguement is that Americans can't spell but then I've also heard the 'u' was introduced because the English were conquered by the French hence the 'u' in spellings!
Dharmabum: You think so? That's good. I stick to the words I know for sure, that's probably why they're all very clear and simple ;)
FB: lol I think the other character would probably smack the other in the face, but that's an idea!
I never heard that theory before but many, many words in English originated from French, only making it richer and more varied. I may be wrong but I believe the 'u' was there from the start. Anyway, that happens also in Brazil, where some characters that were a little useless were eliminated. Oh the colonies ;) (a little imperialistic humour!)
How about that Korean that came with Park - Lee, I think?
From school I seem to remember that 70 percent of English comes from Latin... I know I ought to embrace American spelling - Norwegian's really just simplified Danish (though pronounced completely differently), but the Americans have simplified British so much it's not really ... my cup of tea, anymore...
Now, for all your football talk and Mascherano I must go find fb's blog :)
Scholiast: Is it? I've always been curious about the scandinavian languages and the differences between them. Maybe a post about that, hmm? ;)
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