>> While we are at it, what is that 500 years ago English called? Middle English? << Well 1500 is usually defined as the beginning of Modern English. >> Heh, I didn't know that. Should we change the spelling of some words?

>> There will (hopefully) always be a "neutral" variety, the one you'll hear on TV news << There isn't. Around here TV news uses local pronunciations, even those not generally considered conservative General American. For example, most

Remember that current English spellings reflect how words were pronounced approximately 500 years ago, and not how the language is spoken today.

When it's written "is" it's pronounced as /Iz/. The weak form, is simply that it is sometimes contracted to /s/ or /z/. When it is contracted, it is indicated with an appostrophe: for example It is good /It Iz gUd/ It's good /Its gUd/ When it is

Wow that's a lot of questions. I've tried to answer most of your questions in order, although this may sound a little rambly. The following is all my opinion: English is the most predominant language because of the economic and political supremacy

Do you know IPA or XSAMPA phonetic alphabets? If you post the lyrics to the songs, we can transcribe them for you.

Dear $username, (or Dear Reader,) You are receiving this notification because in the past you have showed your interest in '$interest'. We wish to inform you about a new publication called 'The New Review' that is published in bilingual format

It's pronounced "thuh" normally. Before a vowel, it can alternatively be pronounced "thee".

/k@t{str\=fi/ or /k@t{str\@fi/

Well, to go overseas means to travel to another country crossing water. Occasionally it can just mean to travel to another country. With regards to immigration, it most likely just a fancy word for going to another country. So someone from France