That isn't a dig; I'm not making accusations of ignorance- I'm merely trying to bring to light the fact that no one discusses the basic facts that words spoken in the American English lexicon have completely separate meanings when spoken anywhere else in the world.
Most of this occurs in the realm of politics and philosophy, and most people don't understand that this is why Americans get a rep for being rude or obnoxious- quite literally, for the majority of average Americans, the word 'liberal' or 'conservative' or 'socialist' or 'communist' mean something completely different than the way the rest of the world sees them.
I can think of many dialogues I have seen between Americans and others, which become heated not because they disagree- but because they are saying the same word, and in their separate minds have two totally different meanings.
Can you think of any more examples of this? Have you had experience with this?
Why is this so?
Just curious- it's diversity.
2006-07-19 06:54:22 · 7 answers · asked by sleepingtao 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Other - Arts & Humanities
As Winston Churchill said, "The English and Americans are separated by a common language".
2006-07-19 07:04:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes, most American English speakers know there is a difference, at least on a basic level.
However, in the middle of a heated debate, it's a little difficult to step back and analyze (analyse?) communication gaps.
2006-07-19 07:02:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are a number of distinctive dialects and accents with American English on my own that some could desire to be seen distinctive languages in and of themselves... ever seen u.s. Talks, i think of is what's replace into called. This guy traveled all over the US getting to know distinctive varieties of yank English, it replace into particularly exciting.
2016-11-02 08:39:38 · answer #3 · answered by sturms 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think most scientist say, that there is no criteria to say if two languages are seperate languages or mere dialects. I personally would think, American and British English are two dialects. And then, the names are not American and English, but American and British English. Please don´t discriminate against the Americans.
2006-07-19 07:01:25 · answer #4 · answered by mai-ling 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Living in the UK (I'm American) was eye-opening in that respect. Unfortunately, many Americans are very insular in their thinking, and think that our way of speaking (or doing anything for that matter) is the best way. The English have their foibles as well - like the way they overuse the word "literally"! For example, "I'm litterally shattered..." That's funny, because you look like you're in one piece.
2006-07-19 07:01:22 · answer #5 · answered by kaligirl 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Chalk it up to American arrogance. We have stolen words from other languages, corrupted the pronunciation of them, & then claim everyone is saying them incorrectly.
2006-07-19 08:35:37 · answer #6 · answered by Selkie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes I realize I have a problem with it . I want to write a book but my grammar is so poor who would read it
2006-07-19 06:58:32 · answer #7 · answered by Legalia G 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋