2007-11-14 13:08:17 · 4 answers · asked by witofatwit 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
There is a wonderful program called The Story of English. I see that Amazon has it, but a local library might also. It's the story of the development of English from early times (Angle, Saxon, Danish, Norman invasions) through the adaption in the American Colonies. Basically, people came from all over England (and also Germany, France, etc.) and their dialect influenced the language for that area (such as the Boston Hah-vahd language). Appalachia in the mid-Atlantic states was settled by Scots Highlanders and Irish, and their dialect relects that. Pennsylvania has a large German influence.
Because we were obviously anti-English for awhile, we tended to use French pronunciations for words like bouquet and valet, and there are other examples. We also simplified spelling.
2007-11-14 13:14:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anna P 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
English developed from English, german, and celtic tribes who attacked and invaded Brittania. There are many different other tribes who influened English. Some of the main groups are the Romans the Angles and the Saxons. The Angles are how we get the name england (angleland-england) and the name english
2007-11-14 21:17:51 · answer #2 · answered by blah 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every language evolves the same way.
There are different sounds, word usage, slang's and accents in different parts of the US, and every other country in the world.
Cheers.
2007-11-14 21:12:03 · answer #3 · answered by Perplexed 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the "Americans" wanted to be different plus they spelled words wrong, and taught children how to spell colour like "color" and favourite like "favorite" I am Irish and proud I honestly think American english sucks, and so many words are used in the wrong way..
2007-11-14 21:12:35 · answer #4 · answered by Adam 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋