http://www.englishforums.com/English/TopicOfTheMoment/Forum38.htmDiscussions on anything and everything, all while helping you learn English. (Just like being in a bar!) Please register if you wish to post here.enXMOD (Build: 3614.32638)http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/9/lmvg/Post.htm#559453Sun, 24 May 2009 06:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:559453MrPedantic0http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/9/lmvg/Post.htm#559453http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-559453.xmlActually I'm wrong Hats off, Anon! That may well be the first time that phrase has ever been uttered on an ESL forum. MrPhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/9/lmvg/Post.htm#559321Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:559321Anonymous1http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/9/lmvg/Post.htm#559321http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-559321.xmlActually I'm wrong according to wikapedia and the oxford english dictionary the use of Z's is not an Americanism, its correct english. The OED gives the Z spelling first with the S as an option. Read the wikapedia entry its very interesting. Well, you learn something everyday. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_and_British_English_spelling_differences I still prefer S's.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/9/lmvg/Post.htm#559232Fri, 24 Apr 2009 06:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:559232Cool Breeze2http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/9/lmvg/Post.htm#559232http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-559232.xmlWhat makes this worse is that the English are now using Z's. I was at he Natural History Museum in London and all the information on the displays in the Dinosaur section used Z's not S's in spellings. "Thiz fozzil waz dizcovered in Azia?" CBhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/9/lmvg/Post.htm#559214Fri, 24 Apr 2009 06:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:559214Anonymous3http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/9/lmvg/Post.htm#559214http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-559214.xmlWhat makes this worse is that the English are now using Z's. I was at he Natural History Museum in London and all the information on the displays in the Dinosaur section used Z's not S's in spellings. 'What a F******* Liberty !.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/8/lmvg/Post.htm#266498Sun, 24 May 2009 06:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:266498Anonymous4http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/8/lmvg/Post.htm#266498http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-266498.xmlThe main reason for the spelling difference's is that Naoh Webster wanted to simpify the language. I mean really...do you pronounce the U in colour (color) or how does it sound when you say colonisation (colonization). It sounds more like a Z instead of an S. We also have to remember that languages throughout history changed and evolve through time. Lets think about it, you are upset that American changed the spelling. The Romans should be outraged with all of Europe for changing Latin which gave Europe all of its languages that we know today. Accoding to you logic, we all should speak Latin because we butchered that. English is not from England, it is a language that borrows from all over Europe...It has Latin, French, German, Whales,...http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/8/lmvg/Post.htm#263327Fri, 24 Apr 2009 06:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:263327Anonymous5http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/8/lmvg/Post.htm#263327http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-263327.xmlCorrections - I suppose it depends on how powerful a country is, and not simply because it's American. Nowadays the U.S.A is the most powerful and is also a very rich country, many people the world over want to learn its language. If America was a small and poor country, then this would not be the case. Maybe you would not even have heard about U.S.A English.So take ir easy and try to make your country the richest and most powerful one. BTW, english is not my native tongue, if anyone finds any faults, please point them out to me, thanks. Well I agree with you that America is one of the most powerful countries in the world, certainly in terms of military might and big business corporations. If it wasn't for the U.S.A speaking English...http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/8/lmvg/Post.htm#262541Sun, 24 May 2009 06:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:262541John Baker6http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/8/lmvg/Post.htm#262541http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-262541.xmlWhy do you care so much...... if you don't like it that's ok , there are people that prefer american english.....http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/8/lmvg/Post.htm#258643Sun, 24 May 2009 06:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:258643Englishuser7http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/8/lmvg/Post.htm#258643http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-258643.xmlMonfrancom wrote: But, to answer your question "Why American English?", it's called "ego"! I mean, what else can it be: how do you justify calling a united statesian American when the latter namesake should actually refer to all those living on the two continents? I mean, I'm an American since I live in Canada, but you would never refer to me as such since that word is reserved for united statesians. You have a good point. Some people use North American English rather than American English.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/8/lmvg/Post.htm#258639Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:258639monfrancom8http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/8/lmvg/Post.htm#258639http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-258639.xmlReapply to inissial poughst. (though - poughst!) Is this "arogant", or is it "arrogant", or is it "a-row-guant"? To ask the question is to answer it! The united statesians kept that trait from their "fore farthers". As did the Quanadians. With enuff information (spoken in French gives "information"), u kan get bi. Some body actually cares! As one of this land (myyyyy fore farthers came to this land thousands of years ago crossing the Berring straight, and weren't even recognized as having a soul by the roman church -circa 1525- therefore justifying making slaves out of them - they got screwed though, because people of the First Nations were terrible slaves, disobedient and all! -so- they went looking to Africa for slaves) I have...http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/8/lmvg/Post.htm#258046Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:258046Anonymous9http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/8/lmvg/Post.htm#258046http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-258046.xmlI agree with you.I hate to change the subject but do you know how many people actually know English,and have you heard that English is supposed to be used by less than five percent of the world's population by 2050.As far as my research at least 2 billion people know or have good knowledge of English.I predict English is destined to be the world's most spoken language.Thank you and I hope I didn't misspell any words!http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/8/lmvg/Post.htm#254563Tue, 24 Mar 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:254563YoHf10http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/8/lmvg/Post.htm#254563http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-254563.xmlGrammar Geek wrote: You know, there is no SINGLE American accent. I've heard people who sound like a squawking goose lodged in their throat who are born-and-bred American speakers, and many more people with lovely enunciation. The same with British English. Good point. Although I deeply loathe some American accents, I admit that some of them happen to be just as good as the British ones.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/8/lmvg/Post.htm#254177Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:254177Grammar Geek11http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/8/lmvg/Post.htm#254177http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-254177.xmlYou know, there is no SINGLE American accent. I've heard people who sound like a squawking goose lodged in their throat who are born-and-bred American speakers, and many more people with lovely enunciation. The same with British English. Because I read so many Britich novels, I do sometimes get confused about spellings, because something that is a misspelling in AmE is correct in BrE.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/8/lmvg/Post.htm#254051Fri, 24 Apr 2009 06:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:254051Axastradra12http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/8/lmvg/Post.htm#254051http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-254051.xmlMy country used British Engish. My teacher, who study at USA since she was 17, said that their language is totally confusing. She said that she need half month to get along with that....Uk english is more specific, but my country spoke not only British english, but most of them speak BROKEN english!!!!!http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/7/lmvg/Post.htm#253975Tue, 24 Mar 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:253975Nef13http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/7/lmvg/Post.htm#253975http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-253975.xmlI'm American, so my "default mode" is North American English. But I also like British, Canadian, and Australian writers very much. I'm usually comfortable with spelling variations. While spelling variations make English harder to learn, there are many other and far greater challenges in learning and using the language. This forum is full of those challenges every day! We all know this. Long live arrogance! There's plenty of it.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/7/lmvg/Post.htm#253732Fri, 24 Apr 2009 06:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:253732Englishuser14http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/7/lmvg/Post.htm#253732http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-253732.xmlHi Fleogan, You wrote: I don't think people learning English would have that much of a problem learning "colour" instead of "color", or "realise" instead of "realize". But now, thanks to American spellings, they have to learn two variations. 'Realize' is not an American spelling. Actually, the OED uses ize-spellings, and the ise-variants are given as alternative ones.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/7/lmvg/Post.htm#177741Sun, 24 May 2009 06:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:177741Ville_maddengurl15http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/7/lmvg/Post.htm#177741http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-177741.xmlno its not!http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/7/lmvg/Post.htm#177638Sat, 24 Jan 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:177638YoHf16http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/7/lmvg/Post.htm#177638http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-177638.xmlBut AE is awful...http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/7/lmvg/Post.htm#177531Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:177531Ville_maddengurl17http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/7/lmvg/Post.htm#177531http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-177531.xmloh i m sorry but yeah !!cuz all of the people speaking with american accent around me and i listen american bands and watch american series...http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/7/lmvg/Post.htm#177524Tue, 24 Mar 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:177524YoHf18http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/7/lmvg/Post.htm#177524http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-177524.xmlVille_maddengurl wrote: but so u dont like my accent Do you speak with an American accent?http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/7/lmvg/Post.htm#177339Tue, 24 Mar 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:177339Anonymous19http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/7/lmvg/Post.htm#177339http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-177339.xmlRhetor wrote: You can thank our Noah Webster for the spelling changes, which he incorporated in his early dictionaries, as well as his so-called "Spellers," which were practice books for the teaching of spelling to youngsters. He changed the "s" to "z" in "civilisation" and removed the foreign-looking (i.e., French) "u" from "colour." Good, bad, or indifferent, those changes stuck. I believe the z in civilization is British—check the Oxford dictionaries. The use of s is French. Some of the British, and Commonwealth countries, adopted the s to differentiate themselves from the American usage. The American v. British English debate has gone on for quite some time—the ise v. ize debate has been going on since the nineteenth...http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/7/lmvg/Post.htm#177275Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:177275Ville_maddengurl20http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/7/lmvg/Post.htm#177275http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-177275.xmlbut so u dont like my accenthttp://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/7/lmvg/Post.htm#177187Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:177187YoHf21http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/7/lmvg/Post.htm#177187http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-177187.xmlBecause I simply don't like it...http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/6/lmvg/Post.htm#177137Sun, 24 May 2009 06:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:177137Ville_maddengurl22http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/6/lmvg/Post.htm#177137http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-177137.xmlwhy?http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/6/lmvg/Post.htm#177081Sun, 24 May 2009 06:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:177081YoHf23http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/6/lmvg/Post.htm#177081http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-177081.xmlI strongly disagree with you Merve...http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/6/lmvg/Post.htm#177078Sun, 24 May 2009 06:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:177078Ville_maddengurl24http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/6/lmvg/Post.htm#177078http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-177078.xmli think american english is more attractive...http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/6/lmvg/Post.htm#176937Sat, 24 Jan 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:176937YoHf25http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/6/lmvg/Post.htm#176937http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-176937.xmlIs it? I fiund it awful... I don't even like the way it sounds...http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/6/lmvg/Post.htm#176725Sat, 24 Jan 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:176725Ville_maddengurl26http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/6/lmvg/Post.htm#176725http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-176725.xmli luv american english cuz it's easier...http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/6/lmvg/Post.htm#175352Sun, 24 May 2009 06:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:175352YoHf27http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/6/lmvg/Post.htm#175352http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-175352.xmlI don't like American English...http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/6/lmvg/Post.htm#172645Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:172645Anonymous28http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/6/lmvg/Post.htm#172645http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-172645.xmlThough I live in New Jersey, I often use many British spellings. It's really no big deal. But I do double the last consonant in words such as "benefitted", "traveller", etc. It just looks right that way.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/6/lmvg/Post.htm#169218Fri, 24 Apr 2009 06:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:169218Anonymous29http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/6/lmvg/Post.htm#169218http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-169218.xmlNo need to get upset. Over the years the english language has been modified or upgraded to be more user friendly. The Spanish language in central and south american countries has changed a bit but it is not to offend. You really should not be offended by this because at the end of the day it is still english and this language is global, no other language has made this type of impact. and also alot of the words that is in the english language, we both know they were not invented or made from the british. The language (and words) were assisited by the greeks vocabulary, way before a european existed. And in order to have a language you have to have words. I come into this discussion in peace so reply if you must--kindly.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/6/lmvg/Post.htm#106442Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:106442khoff30http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/6/lmvg/Post.htm#106442http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-106442.xmlbut for the foreseeable future there is little or no doubt that BrE is far more widespread and popular (and dare I say a lot more accurate I am coming late to this discussion, but I would like to contribute my two cents' worth, or the equivalent in pence (or Euro cents). I greatly appreciate Young Californian's defense of American English and all Americans from this ongoing diatribe, and I agree with the earlier poster who suggested that it would be nice if "Guest" adopted a registered screen name so we know if we are dealing with one assailant or several. No one uses actual names here, but you could at lest have the courage of your convictions to sign your posts with a screen name we can identify from one time to the next. I...http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/5/lmvg/Post.htm#106390Sat, 24 Jan 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:106390winging31http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/5/lmvg/Post.htm#106390http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-106390.xmlI think... the presence of American English is not a big problem....people can try to decide which 'type' of English are they going to use...... Of couse.....no one is going to force an english man to use American english.... Somehow ....I think.....language is for communication...if American English can achieve this aim...then....why can't we accept one more alternative ??http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/5/lmvg/Post.htm#104437Fri, 24 Apr 2009 06:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:104437monkeynuts32http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/5/lmvg/Post.htm#104437http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-104437.xmlAnother one with no sense of history! James I/II? It was Charles I who lost his head thanks to Cromwell and his New Model Army. Cromwell became Lord Protector of England until his death. Charles's I son, Charles II was invited back from exile in France to take the throne. See 'Restoration'. As for the governing slander, do a Google search for 'British Empire'http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/5/lmvg/Post.htm#99914Sat, 24 Jan 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:99914Guest33http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/5/lmvg/Post.htm#99914http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-99914.xmlIndeed the 'All Seeing Eye' is even incorporated into the 'greenback', but now I think we are getting a little off topic aren't we? Maybe 'American' English would be more correctly called 'Masonic' English!http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/5/lmvg/Post.htm#99909Sun, 24 May 2009 06:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:99909Guest34http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/5/lmvg/Post.htm#99909http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-99909.xmlI think the Freemasons (and their cronies) came up with many of those revolting plans.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/5/lmvg/Post.htm#99907Sat, 24 Jan 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:99907Guest35http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/5/lmvg/Post.htm#99907http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-99907.xmlYes, I think they were involved in many revolting businesses involving British colonies around the world around that time.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/5/lmvg/Post.htm#99906Fri, 24 Apr 2009 06:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:99906Guest36http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/5/lmvg/Post.htm#99906http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-99906.xmlWeren't the French involved in that revolting business too?http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/5/lmvg/Post.htm#99903Sat, 24 Jan 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:99903Guest37http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/5/lmvg/Post.htm#99903http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-99903.xmlNo wonder the Walt Disney company does so well. Some people just love to hang out in Fantasy land. 'The Americans are revolting!' they cried. How right they were!http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/5/lmvg/Post.htm#99893Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:99893Guest38http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/5/lmvg/Post.htm#99893http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-99893.xmlIt looks to me like everyone forgot something that happened a couple of hundred years ago. THE AMERICANS REVOLTED!!! We don't use the "Queen's English" because we don't have no stinking Queen. Speaking of which, "LONG LIVE CROMWELL AND MILTON!!!" Does anyone know who Cromwell and Milton are? Can you say King James I? Off with his head... But the English couldn't even get that right. King James II came in and it all started over again... King this, Queen that... English couldn't even govern themselves. No wonder we won the AMERICAN REVOLUTION!!! William Born and Raised TEXAN... Not American. BTW... Last time I checked, there were CONTINENTS named NORTH AMERICAN and SOUTH AMERICA but not any countries... duh.... Here's your...http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/5/lmvg/Post.htm#81775Sat, 24 Jan 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:81775Guest39http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/5/lmvg/Post.htm#81775http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-81775.xmlBecause those countries use English EXTENSIVELY (and you shouldn't ignore that). If it is not important, why did you raise the issue?http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/4/lmvg/Post.htm#81771Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:81771YoungCalifornian40http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/4/lmvg/Post.htm#81771http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-81771.xmlGuest, I think you are in some form of denial. Of all the countries you've mentioned other than America and Britain, I believe that only in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa can it be said that English is the predominant language. While I would agree that the English spoken in Australia and New Zealand is far closer to British English, it really deserves it own category in my opinion. You've also neglected to mention the Canadians, whose brand of English is much closer to that of Americans. Furthermore, I would guess that the population of the United States exceeds those of Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa combined. So while American English may not be as widespread as you seem to think British English is, I...http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/4/lmvg/Post.htm#81700Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:81700rhetor41http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/4/lmvg/Post.htm#81700http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-81700.xmlYou can thank our Noah Webster for the spelling changes, which he incorporated in his early dictionaries, as well as his so-called "Spellers," which were practice books for the teaching of spelling to youngsters. He changed the "s" to "z" in "civilisation" and removed the foreign-looking (i.e., French) "u" from "colour." Good, bad, or indifferent, those changes stuck. What did not stick were his nutty ideas for making English a purely phonetic language. He even published several books on the subject that were written in a completely phonetic form of English. Had it caught on, all of the foundational documents of the United States would be unreadable in their original form . . . not to mention all of Shakespeare, Pope, Swift, and the...http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/4/lmvg/Post.htm#81690Sat, 24 Jan 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:81690eagle42http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/4/lmvg/Post.htm#81690http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-81690.xmlI am not sure about India, We did have Uk english here, but more and more people in India are learning and using the American English . Most people from India also have to use it as language for corporate communication. And in future I believe with increased Corporate relation with US its going to be American English in India. Say about the IItians and software technicians in India they know Silicon Valley is in US , so I doubt if they will communicate in some other form of English than American English. Navhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/4/lmvg/Post.htm#81622Sun, 24 May 2009 06:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:81622Guest43http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/4/lmvg/Post.htm#81622http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-81622.xmlAmerican English is only really spoken in America! Of course a few Japanese and Koreans try hard too - but generally speaking the English spoken in Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Hong Kon, Malaysia, Singapore, Malta, Pakistan etc. etc., is far closer to BrE (British English). There is no doubt that if you want to compare the two, BrE wins out hands down! Of course American Film and T.V. productions are prevalent in many of the abovementioned countries, so it is possible this situation will change - but for the foreseeable future there is little or no doubt that BrE is far more widespread and popular (and dare I say a lot more accurate).http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/4/lmvg/Post.htm#81479Tue, 24 Mar 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:81479Guest44http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/4/lmvg/Post.htm#81479http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-81479.xmlSooner or later, People will follow the language (American English or the British ) which they find easier to understand and speak. At this point, as I had chance and experience of using both, I will say American English seems more speaker friendly and infact more easier to understand too. Pallavhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/4/lmvg/Post.htm#81461Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:81461YoungCalifornian45http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/4/lmvg/Post.htm#81461http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-81461.xmlSorry David, perhaps I wasn't clear enough. When I said "start asking why the world is seemingly more concerned with American English", I didn't mean in comparison to any other particular form of English, I simply meant moreso than before. I don't think that anyone can deny that American English has reached the same international prominence as British English.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/4/lmvg/Post.htm#81377Sat, 24 Jan 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:81377Guest46http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/4/lmvg/Post.htm#81377http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-81377.xmlConcerned with it? No. Disturbed by it? Maybe .http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/4/lmvg/Post.htm#81370Tue, 24 Mar 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:81370David47http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/4/lmvg/Post.htm#81370http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-81370.xmlYoung Californian I doubt it very much. Re your last comment. There are many others all over the world who have their own brand of English. As you suggested variety is the spice of life so long as we can all understand eachother.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/4/lmvg/Post.htm#81351Fri, 24 Apr 2009 06:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:81351YoungCalifornian48http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/4/lmvg/Post.htm#81351http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-81351.xmlAnd you call Americans arrogant (assuming you are the same 'Guest')? I've read these musings on the internet and found it somewhat humorous before, although not so much now. Besides the obvious resentment, this piece also reeks of envy in my opinion. The United States was one of the few British colonies to actually earn its own sovereignty rather than have it granted, and perhaps some British subjects haven't gotten over it. I don't want to enter into a cultural debate, but I would suggest that you stop asking why Americans speak differently, and start asking why the world is seemingly more concerned with American English.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/3/lmvg/Post.htm#81331Sat, 24 Jan 2009 07:57:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:81331Guest49http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyAmericanEnglish/3/lmvg/Post.htm#81331http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments38-81331.xmlTo the citizens of the United States of America: In the light of your failure to elect a competent President of the USA and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective today. Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths and other territories. Except Utah, which she does not fancy. Your new Prime Minister (The Right Honourable Tony Blair, MP for the 97.85% of you who have until now been unaware that there is a world outside your borders) will appoint a Minister for America without the need for further elections. Congress and the Senate will be disbanded. A questionnaire will be circulated next year to determine...