Search results for 'tag:Regards tag:Correct spelling' matching tags 'Regards' and 'Correct spelling'

Re: Is American English lazy English?

Marvin A. — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 06:41:22 GMT

Wow, what a lot of nonesense.

Is American English simply lazy English with disregard for the fundamentals of the language, or is it a valid simplification of an overly complex and irregular language?

Huh? What are you talking about?

I was hoping nobody would ask, but since you did, I much prefer the attitude of the British. They have enough respect for the language to use correct spelling

How is modern British spelling more "correct"? Who determines correct spelling anyway? The differences in spelling between the US and the UK are mostly due to there being multiple forms that were considered "correct" at the time: such as "color" and "colour".

(The British have) clear enunciation

Oh they do, do they? Are you referring to RP, which is spoken by about 4% of the population, or are you referring to Glaswegian?

(And the British have the) correct use of prepositions and general grammar (and Americans don't)

Huh?

It is not my intention to offend users of American English, users of the imperial system of measurement or anyone else who cares little for international standards.

By your logic, the imperial system should be the correct one. After all, it was invented in Britain. They simply "dumbed down" their system (as you like to say), and switched to the metric system.

I know literacy levels in most western countries are declining rapidly. Could this be a contributing factor?

What does literacy have to do with it?

they use American enunciation

There are several dialects of North American English.

(The "American enunciation", grammar, etc.) all these also have been standardized

Um, no. There is no standardized pronunciation in North American English.

British is regarded as classical English?

"Classical English"? Modern British dialects, particularily RP, have diverged more from the English that both RP and General American are derived from. The non-rhoticity is one thing.

When one considers that the countries on the following list and a multitude of other nations have deep historical if not current connections with Britain and British English, I think it is quite likely that the use of Bitish English is far more widespread and popular than one might think at first glance.

Canada

Um. Canada does not speak "British English".

Oh, by the way, British English is taught in Australian schools, and I think it would be fair to say that Australians take great pride in the preservation of 'proper' (the Queen's) English

Australians speak *Australian English* not British English. They are not "taught" British English. Their spelling system is closer to the British standard though. As for Australians speaking the Queen's English, nothing could be father from the truth, in fact most non-Australians think that most forms of Australian English sound very much like Cockney.

Interesting that Australians take much pride in using British English - that actually would support the thesis that it'll hardly happen that the British English will be replaced by the American English, what do you think?

Um. They don't use British English... But they're of course not going to adopt an American accent. That would be like thinking that people from Berlin would adopt a Swiss German accent.

As nationalities continually interact around the word, shouldn't there be ONE set standard for both measurement and English? Emagine if you gave a spelling test to students from different English speaking countries. Q. What would be the correct spelling for the word "COLOR/COLOUR" ? (for example) Who would pass the test and who would fail?

Um. Both were used in the past as acceptable variants.

As nationalities continually interact around the word, shouldn't there be ONE set standard for both measurement and English?

No. English is a pluricentric language.

American English now is mostly ebonics lol

Rubbish

In a nutshell American and British English are but two dialects of ENGLISH.

They are not two "dialects". There's really no such thing as "American English" or "British English". There are many dialects of English in North America, as well as many dialects in the Britain.

I don't think I would consider British English "Classic English". British English and American English were assumable one in the same 200 years ago.

Exactly. But remeber, even at that time there was not just one form of English. There were many dialects.

I started this thread in 2003, and I have to admit I now feel a little silly about it.
Thanks to the input in this thread (and others) I realise my stupidity at having been so outspoken.

Good.

U.S. has a very diverse population. The pressure, naturally, is to simplify English so everyone, including the non-native speakers, can understand each other.

Rubbish. How has it become simpler?

They should learn to write properly, that is, English, proper English

Write properly? What is this "correct spelling" anyway?

So you're quite likely to hear a rising 'Australian' intonation in plain statements, for example â which to some BrE ears makes every statement sound like a question.

That's also found in North American English. It's associated with California English and Valley girls for the most part. It has very little to do with Australian influence.

Re: the next spring vacation

Yoong Liat — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 08:02:04 GMT

Philip

I don't blame you. I'm also like that. When we go for the major errors, we miss the minor ones.

I'm very particular about correct spelling. Do you think it is something positive or negative? In other words, if I point out the spelling errors of members, do you think I'm doing the right or wrong thing? I'm afraid of overdoing things. On the other hand, I believe we should be learning from one another all aspects of English, including correct spelling of words.

I do not mind if I spell a word wrongly and a member points it out to me.

Best regards

Re: bacchalaureate

TeacherBrian — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 18:57:07 GMT

Dear Itasan

"baccalaureate" is the correct spelling in BrE. Please accept my apologies for earlier mis-spelling!

Here are some examples of the use of the word "baccalaureate" as used in the UK:

1. Some types of baccalaureate...
International Baccalaureate (IB)
The IB is an international qualification which is taught at 1,485 schools in 119 countries around the world under the auspices of The International Baccalaureate Organisation. Pupils in the IB programme study six subjects in their final two years, which must include...
See www.ibo.org/ibo/index.cfm
English European Baccalaureate (EB)
The EB is awarded by the 10 European Schools of the European Union, which provide free education to the children of staff employed by EU institutions.
Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification (WBQ)
Students in 31 schools are currently following the Welsh Bac. The Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma is nationally approved and currently offered at either Intermediate or Advanced level. See www.wbq.org.uk

2. Newspaper quote:
The Guardian (UK Newspaper)
Wednesday August 28, 2002
Leader article: "The IB, which is already in use in a few schools both here and abroad,...."

3. Examples of UK university recognition:
"Oxford University welcomes applications from International Baccalaureate students."
"The University of Bristol welcomes applications from candidates offering the International Baccalaureate qualification."

4. UK institutions offering a baccalaureate qualification:
Over 50 schools and colleges in the UK offer IB courses. See the website of International Baccalaureate schools and colleges in the UK and Ireland: www.ibsca.org.uk
For full list, see www.ibsca.org.uk/ibsca-index.htm
______________________________________________________________________
Regards

Re: preposition

Hammu14 — Fri, 02 Sep 2005 10:38:15 GMT

Hello,

I would like to tell you that l am new here and I am so happy to write my comment.

Youd better use the preposition in instead of on and you have incorrect spelling for the word fourth. So it will be " In the third and fourth year of their high school education.

Best regards.

Re: Help with formal letter to a university

anon1 — Sat, 02 Oct 2004 21:49:35 GMT

Greg,

From my brief read through the web site, all you need is C in the major courses. So to me, I think as long as you have reasonable grades plus proof of your English fluency, you shouldn't have too many difficulties.

With regard to your original letter, it contains too much information. Let's see if we can reduce the size of your letter.

Also, can you point them to information on Poland's marking system that is written in English? Can you simply enclose a brochure or letter that outlines how the Polish school grade or mark their students? My fear with including all your information is that the reader will become overwhelmed. It seems very complicated, unnecessarily so. I would try to find a link so that you can send this letter via e-mail.

When I spell checked your document, I changed "programme" to "program." "Program" is how it is spelled in North America, but it might be different in Britian. Please check and ensure you use the correct spelling.

I look forward to your reply Greg.

MountainHiker

Greg Poland
Your Address
City, Province/State
Poland
greg@poland.com

October 10, 2004

Admission Office
The International Office
University College London
Gower Street London
WC1E 6BT
international@ucl.ac.uk

Dear Sir:

I am writing to you to ascertain what are your requirements for entrance to your undergraduate law degree program for Polish students.

I will graduate in June 2005. I am presently taking the following courses:

1) Polish Language
2) Modern Foreign Language (English)
3) Minority Language (x?)
4) List your other courses

[Can you point them to information on Poland's marking system that is written in English? Can you simply enclose a brochure or letter that outlines how the Polish school grade or mark their students? My fear with including all your information is that the reader will become overwhelmed. It seems very complicated, unnecessarily so. I would try to find a link so that you can send this letter via e-mail.]

I am interested in applying for admission to the LLB degree program in Law. The information listed on your web site for EU students does not yet include information for Polish students. Thus, I am writing to you to seek further information.

I look forward to receiving your reply. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by e-mail, phone, or letter. [Be sure that you provide all the relevant details so that they can contact you. I would be inclined to shorten this to, "Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at greg@poland.com." E-mail is fast and efficient. You don't want them sending you a letter for a simple question.]

Sincerely yours,
Grzegorz G