Different languages of English origin...

[Claus]

Well, this subject interests me and seems to be of some concern for others also. So let?s give it a thread of its own?

Claus wrote:...But for me there are two languages here, American and English (like Danish and Norwegian, or Czech and Slovak), close but not interchangeable. What I should have done - for clarity - was to complete the statement, like this, '... And the other way around, my American is better than that of any educated Englishman but not quite as good as that of an educated American'....

Packman replied: Gee your the first person I know that has promoted American English to a separate language.

Not my idea, though - this was promoted by H.L. Mencken already in 1921.

Which language do Canadians speak?

Well, I have two Canadian friends who speak some French dialect, three who speak old-fashioned Ukrainian (not understood in Ukraine) and on the Canadian West cost I know others who speak some strange variant of English which Brits and Americans find it difficult to cope with.

What about Austalians?

My friends in OZ (Perth and Sydney) certainly speak their own language, not much to do with American or English ? and as for Africa, just to anticipate, I have one good friend in Cape Town whom I find it easier to understand than my American and English friends do.

As for legal texts -  that?s not really a language issue, it?s more of a sociologic thing :lol:  ? and the differences between say California and Massachusetts are quite big, as are the differences of legal thinking between England, France, and Germany.

[Packman]

Claus:

With all due respect...I'm from Baltimore!  H.L. Mencken was a satirist!  I agree you wouldn't need to understand humor to get that job that was previously posted, however to consider American, Canandian and Australian separate languages at this stage in history is preposterous.

take this definition of language

"Language Definition
Provides defintion of what is a language and what is a human language.
What is a Language?
A language is considered to be a system of communicating with other people using sounds, symbols and words in expressing a meaning, idea or thought. This language can be used in many forms, primarily through oral and written communications as well as using expressions through body language.
Human Languages
Primarily there is a distinction between one language and another; usually it may be through country boundaries, population culture, demographics and history. Each country through combinations of blending cultures, environment and other factors has evolved their own unique style of a language. Although Australia, United States and United Kingdom all speak English, they all possess different mannerisms, words used and accents. It also common that many dialects have formed over time in many different towns within the same country. For example in Italy many dialects from the south and vastly differ from the north."

[VictoriaBest]

Dear me, there are as many versions of English, as many of us actually talk the blessed language. For example, what could possibly sound more exotic, than, say, Swindonian, Newportian or, like, Glasgow dialect? Ozzie talk is more like Brit-tish, Canadians and Irish speak very sexy English, I'd say; and yours truly has a perfectly polished CNN style Southern Atlantic American English. It's not about how we speak, it's all about what we're trying to say... See, the thing is, talk to express, not to impress

[Packman]

Hi Victoria:

Claus was trying to make the case that it was different languages not different versions or dialects.  Anyway...I like southern accents

[BrianPBG]

I think we all have a weakness for a lady with a southern accent.  By the way Packman I am from the Patterson area in Baltimore, what about you?

[Packman]

Hi Brian:

From a little north of the city in Hartford and Cecil counties. 

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