... you all ...

I am also impressed with the ability of people from other countries to communicate in English on this forum ... but then , to my knowledge it is becoming mandatory second language in many (most?) foreign countries ... and perhaps BECAUSE people learn it as a second language, they learn to use it more correctly than some US citizens learn it here ...

The main problem is that there is more than one English language with the 2 most common being English UK (Proper English) & English US (A mash up of proper English), with many other variations in other English speaking countries, so it’s hardly surprising it causes problems.

Bill

In Linguistics, the emphasis has shifted away from a normative, prescriptive approach about what correct language is, towards a descriptive approach just observing how most people use it in daily life. So, former "rules" of grammar professors who stated things like "The verb love cannot be used in the present continuous form (am loving)" have become obsolete...
To me, this forum is a very good resource to observe English expressions etc. as used by native speakers. Actually I've thought about starting an English language thread in the Bar as I've sometimes wanted to ask about how you feel about certain choices of words etc.

Language never stands still. It's a moveable feast, if you will.

IS NOT. Whut chew (what are you), some kind of Yankee or something?



chas