America English?

Question

Why do Americans claim to speak/write English when they invent words, mis-spell existing words, and abuse punctuation. Can't we come up with a new name for their language?

Answer 1

There is a big difference between the evolution of a language, which is natural, and the mangling of one of the most comprehensive languages in the world. Some of the people who have answered this question seem not to understand the absolutely valid point you have made, which is not that slang and the evolution of language is wrong; rather that a lack of English vocabulary and laziness on the part of a culture(?) which thinks itself to be the master-race, and inherantly superior to the rest of the world, has led to their showing their ignorance of existing words by inventing new ones. Perhaps if those trying to enlighten you on the subject of English language could understand that language, they wouldn't have missed the point. American academics are the worst culprits; by inventing new words - generally by amalgamating two simpler words - they either want to make themselves more accessible to an ill-educated audience, but end up getting so caught up in their own unintelligable terminology that no-one understands what they're trying to say , or perhaps what they're saying is so inane that they'd rather people got snarled up in the language. A touch of the Emperor's new clothes syndrome perhaps? Language is a means of expression, and the Americanisation of our language in England, and English-speaking countries around the world stunts the purpose of language, and means that more and more people are just making a lot of noise, rather than making much sense. They might as well be mooing. And incidentally, mis-spelling IS the correct spelling of the word.

Answer 2

A lot of the American words are from other countries that have settled here. The original language was English because the original settlers were from England. There are also Scots, Irish, German, Dutch, French, Spanish, Mexican, African, not to mention Native Americans that contributed to our unique form of the English language. As "Ever Learn" said, we are not the only country that speaks English. And I'm sure that those other countries, under the "jurisdiction" of England, have "ruined" the "mother tongue" to the same extent if not worse than we have.

Don't be such a boor.

Answer 3

Language is constantly evolving. New words are created in every language, not just English. The more a culture evolves and progresses, new concepts enter into the mix that require a symbol or word to describe them.

While I am not above a certain disdain for those who are lazy with their grammar, one cannot dismiss the fact that language is the ultimate democratic process that is distilled from all walks of life.

Answer 4

Americans invent new words because there are always new things coming about. Take the computer for example, when it came out it had no name so one was invented for it. Oh and by the way, people already say either English and American English, so your concept is not new. My advice if you don't like it don't use it.

Answer 5

We do speak English. In the UK, they speak the Queen's English. In America, we speak American English. Just because we are not as proper as our counterparts across the pond does not mean that we are speaking an entirely different language. The English language has evolved, otherwise we would probably be speaking Olde English, like in Beowulf.
And as for this, "They steal our language and cant even use it right." -- What, exactly, were my forefathers supposed to speak when they came to America if not their native tongue of English?

Answer 6

english replaced into spoken in north usa of america as quickly as english people got here there! the french and spanish additionally had colonies, so as that they possibly spoke french and spanish. the british spoke english. as long as usa of america has been a rustic, english has been spoken because of the fact the main language.

Answer 7

Why pick on America? Your queen reigns over some places with even worse English - so pick on them since you have some control. ;-)

By the way, mis-spell is a misspelling.
.

Answer 8

seriously you don't think British English today is the same as it's always been....try reading Old English and see how far you get

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Beowulf.firstpage.jpeg start with the first page of Beowulf

oh and "steal our language" ....what are you kidding me....we brought it with us when we left England and I think you mean to say "can't even use it correctly"


lol...and to Ema....m-e-o-w who is really thinking they are superior here? So you used a lot of words to basically say you think it's rubbbish....jolly good

Answer 9

While you're at it make some suggestions for English spoken by Australians and New Zealanders. They make up words that aren't in use in UK. Full of aboriginal words and slang.

Answer 10

The name "Americanism" has been around for a while