Why do they call it the English language, when half of them in England can't speak it?

Question

monkeyface - from experience of listening to them. You've got the right alias, anyway.

me american? - I don't think so

Christina K - I always get a thrill when you answer my questions.

Hope I haven't upset you (much).

Answer 1

half can't speak it, because half of the country are f*ckin foreigners!!

Answer 2

I must agree with you!
My native language is not English but I speak more and better that other people I met here.

Many people who were born and they grew up here have this ''problem'', mainly because they speak their own language most of the time.

Are indeed foreigners who can't speak and I can give you an example.
I went to Blackpool last year and when shopping I realised that I need to point with my finger what I wanted because they had no clue what I am saying.
Also are people who are refugees and that is understandable...they didn't know the language, they can't speak it yet, we should have some compassion for them.

Is not the people you should blame but the government, they're not doing anything about it.
They should be obliged by law to learn and speak english if they want a job and stop giving them benefits.

Answer 3

I'm guessing you're American -- here we speak an Americanized version of English -- the Brits speak their version.

I live in the South, my son-in-law is from New Jersey and we have some great laughs over the differences in his "language" and mine.

Just don't be so angry about it. It's all good.

Answer 4

Are you being purposely provocative again? Do you get a thrill from irritating people? Have you got some sort of problem?

Answer 5

English is a living language. I think you may be confusing accents and dialects with a knowledge of English>

Answer 6

We can speak it - maybe you're American since you say 'half of them' not 'half of us' - and I'm not even sure that's correct. Best ask a German or a Pole! What you mean, though, surely is 'half of them can't speak it properly'? Non?

Answer 7

maybe you're the one who can't speak proper english and everyone else can. anyway, what else are you going to call it 'almost-english'? you can imagine that being taught in schools across the globe can't you?

Answer 8

If you think English people speak bad English go to America and see how badly they speak it there. Chaucer will be turning in his grave!

Answer 9

I would guess its less than 1%

How many languages do you speak?

Answer 10

I have a question in answer to yours.
Where did you find out this "fact" & if it isn't a fact then why have you just made something up?
Surely being stupid is less of a sin that being a liar, isn't it?

Answer 11

Back away from the computer and go pick up a history book.