By Translation, Dialects

Oh my goodness, Casi! What is all this about? May I ask what specifically embarrasses you about the reponses? I have to say from my exposure to Ebonics that it is not really regarded as English. I have seen whole classes of children being taught how to translate Ebonics to English. It doesn't...

Hello MH and CJ I think BrE does tend to avoid the subjunctive 'be'. (Is this because indicative 'be' was common in rustic dialects, before we all turned to EstuaryE, I wonder? 'You be a-trespassin' on 'is Lordship's land, young master' etc.) I would listen twice if I heard #2. Sometimes it's...

As this is called EnglishForums.com, I am shocked at the replies on this thread. John Donne was indeed a poet. He first studied law and led a rather libertine existence. Then he converted from the Catholic church and became the Royal Chaplain to King James (of the King James Bible...the...