Marion Jones 'Announcement'

[ycn]

Re: To talk,in public?

Because that's pretty much been the American trend, to shorten and reduce in the interest of streamlining for efficiency.

A limited character set does not mean lack of ability to create language or an inability to convey complexity. American English has added more words to the world's lexicon than any other language.

Many immigrants shortened or changed their names when they came to the United States, primarily as a symbol of a clean break with their old world, and a willingness to accept a new society based upon a different model. For instance, my (7x) great-grandfather changed an "e" in his last name to "a", to reflect the fact that he was no longer European, but American.

I'm opposed to the expansion of the American English alphabet, because I think it does nothing to enhance our abilities to communicate with one another within our nation.

[Mel]

Re: To talk,in public?

"We have an election going on up here btw and everybody is running to the left of Ralph Nader."

MJD how dare u be so shamelessly dishonest. For you Americans who might be interested, the man likely to be our next PM supported sending troops to Iraq, wants women considering abortion to undergo 3rd party counselling, wants to scrap Canada's participation in the Kyoto Accord...left of Ralph Nader? Which Ralph Nader?

[MJD]

Re: To talk,in public?

>MJD how dare u be so shamelessly dishonest.

MEL and ycn-the post was meant as a joke(even though I am one of those 3 people that believe it) but suffice it to say that any country that would only support Bush to the extent of 15% would never elect anyone that they actually believe would do all of those things whether they agree with them or not. If he gets in, we'll review the situation in a year. Too many checks and balances especially if he has a minority.

[tafnut]

Re: To talk,in public?

"Because that's pretty much been the American trend, to shorten and reduce in the interest of streamlining for efficiency."

pretty close:

Noah Webster, first important American lexicographer, changed all the ou's to o's just to distinguish 'American' from 'English'.

[Mel]

Re: To talk,in public?

"MEL and ycn-the post was meant as a joke"

You're just too subtle for me sometimes but keep it that way, thank you!

[MJD]

Re: To talk,in public?

>"Because that's pretty much been the American trend, to shorten and reduce in
>the interest of streamlining for efficiency."

pretty close:

Noah
>Webster, first important American lexicographer, changed all the ou's to o's
>just to distinguish 'American' from 'English'.

That's more like it-not a very good reason. He didn't change all of them-your is still your(with the exception of some regions of a couple of states) and every word that is pronounced like your should have stayed the same and they didn't.

[marknhj]

Re: To talk,in public?

So why did they change the s's to zeds (you're getting no zee's out of me)?

Also, why do Americans say 'erb when it's got a f****** h in it? (to quote the hilarious Eddie Izzard)...and, lastly, when Wimbledon starts I'll spend most of the 2 weeks telling people it's WimbleDon, not WimbleTon!

[MJD]

Re: To talk,in public?

Also, why do Americans say 'erb when it's got a f****** h in it? (to quote
>the hilarious Eddie Izzard)...and, lastly, when Wimbledon starts I'll spend
>most of the 2 weeks telling people it's WimbleDon, not WimbleTon!

Look to the anchormen of the major US networks. They are taught to speak "properly" and they sound a lot closer to you and me than the typical 'Merican. 'Nuff said.

[tafnut]

Re: To talk,in public?

How abooooot that, eh?

[Pego]

Re: To talk,in public?

LOL. I am usually told that my accent is "cute". Argh.

[RMc]

Re: To talk,in public?

Look to the anchormen of the major US networks. They are taught
>to speak "properly" and they sound a lot closer to you and me than the
>typical 'Merican. 'Nuff said.

Hold it! One of those anchormen IS one of you! Peter Jennings is a Canuck! (and not a hockey player) ;^) (PS, the Bush as a boor statement was meant as a joke...)

[marknhj]

Re: To talk,in public?

>LOL. I am usually told that my accent is "cute". Argh.>>>

I literally get asked about my accent everyday. Usually respond, "What accent? I speak English", then have to explain that I'm not an Australian. Argh too.

[MJD]

Re: To talk,in public?

(PS, the Bush as a boor
>statement was meant as a joke...)

Would have laughed a lot harder if you would have used Michael Moore, Al Franken or Alec Baldwin instead of Bush. Has Baldwin hired that moving company yet by the way? He said he was going to leave the country if Bush won. Last pic I saw of him was in the NYT magazine and pretty sure it was in front of some kind of east coast palatial summer retreat. Don't let the door hit you on the way out...

[Mel]

Re: To talk,in public?

"Has Baldwin hired that moving company yet by the way?"

Too late. The Canadians already bombed the Baldwins.

[MJD]

Re: To talk,in public?

>"Has Baldwin hired that moving company yet by the way?"

Too late. The
>Canadians already bombed the Baldwins.


Ok Mel. Too subtle. I don't get it. I'm sorry to say that you will have to spell that out for me.