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From: dave@esatstyc.estec.esa.nl (Dave Bass)
Subject: Re: Differences between American + British english
Message-ID: <D78Gzt.E9v@yc.estec.esa.nl>
Sender: dave@esatst (Dave Bass)
Date: Tue, 18 Apr 1995 13:47:53 GMT
References: <795681149snz@duntone.demon.co.uk> <3mensc$1ko@netnews.upenn.edu> <797633329snz@psyche.demon.co.uk> <1995Apr13.181319.24740@inca.comlab.ox.ac.uk>
Organization: ESA/ESTEC/YCV, Noordwijk, The Netherlands
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In article <1995Apr13.181319.24740@inca.comlab.ox.ac.uk>, ehrlich@sable.ox.ac.uk (Charles Ehrlich) writes:
[munch brooks]

> Specifically, in America we have something called "SAE" (Standard American
> English) which is taught in grammar classes in all public (that is, state-
> operated) schools and most private schools.

What is supposedly taught in school and what people speak are two completely 
different things. My experience of American speech is quite limited in terms 
of real examples, but includes a lot of television stuff. In the latter case 
there does not appear to be a consistent use of grammar.

[munch discussion on the trendy-lefty British educational ethos]
This type of thinking seems to be on the way out with the National Curriculum, 
and that's not a bad thing.

> Also, to make another point, Peter H. M. Brooks writes above that since 
> people have been insulting each other for eons, he does not understand why
> anyone should consider insults unnecessary.
> 
> This is a very British argument, that of saying that something has always been
> one way and therefore should stay that way.  It is why the UK is very slow to
> change anything.  Just because people have been insulting each other since the
> dawn of time does not mean that insults are necessary.

If you can't insult somebody, whatare you going to do instead? Shoot them?
Consider verbal abuse as opposed to physical abuse. (Sticks and stones anyone?)

> (Did anybody notice that Peter Brooks' last two "sentences" were not 
> sentences?)

Does anybody care? In general I don't correct people's grammar or spelling 
- there have been one or two exceptions. I use this newsgroup as if it were 
a chat in a bar, rather than as a formal platform. Consider the way people 
*speak* as opposed to the way they *write*. Consider also the matter of understanding - if you understood me, was I wrong?

Apologies in advance for my poor English.
-- 
David Bass,  ESTEC/YCV, Postbus 299, 2200 AG Noordwijk, The Netherlands
#include std_disclaimer
