English is being replaced by a kind of trendy “speak”, and I personally would hate it if
text speak became the norm for every day conversation.

Turns out you are wrong–your lot abuses the language every damn bit as much as mine.

Coco Sorry!!!!

Thank you for your answer. I live in France, yes.

I would say that if English is now considered “THE international language if you want success”, the Americans have something to do with it. I agree with you it would be perfect if all of them were articulate, and te same can be said of the English and of the French!

Best wishes to you, John.

Vocal tics such as ‘you know’, ‘like…’ and many others can be hard on the ears of the learned, but they are more of an affectation than an ailment in our luvverly tongue.

Read Spenser’s Fairie Queene and tell me that Engerlish shouldn’t change. It’s f**king gibberish for the most part. Beautiful, clever gibberish, but gibberish nonetheless.

I enjoyed reading your mail Marie , and think that your comments are fair. It is good to get a variety of opinions on Anorak. Years ago in London, I met an American citizen who was a wonderful public speaker and on return to the US, he was given an appointment by the president of the United States. His name was Richard Eyre, and his ability to speak the language made everyone in the room listen to every single word.
The most beautifully spoken woman that I have met personally was the actress and singer Julie Andrews, who starred in the “Sound of Music” and “Mary Poppins”.
To listen to Julie speak the English language was a real pleasure and special memory.

In the United States many British citizens have realized from experience, that many Americans just LOVE to hear a well-spoken English person. So much so that it is a form of social advantage and power. Simon Cowell, has made himself a very rich man and household name in the States by his exposure on”American Idol” and, Simon’s excellent, clear English voice has certainly played a key role in his success.

So Marie, you are French? Are you still living in France or another country?

Best Wishes to you, (from a very hot and sunny Brazil)

JOHN

I am French and I love the English language, wether modern English or Shakespearian.

But I didn’t like your comparison of the American language to a hamburger as opposed to British English as being a 5 star-meal. Maybe I am not a good judge.

Yet, there are great American writers. I am not only speaking of Poe, Hemingway, etc… I also love American modern thrillers, not only because of the plots and of the atmosphere, but because of the language and style. Lawrence Block is an excellent writer, intelligent, witty, learned, and concise. Lehane and Crais write beautifully, and another one whose name I can’t remember (he wrote The Black Dalhia, and LA Confidential) has a great skill with words and the structure of sentences, even if you don’t like what he writes, or the way he writes it. They have a powerful style, which isn’t British English, true, but shows a real mastery of the language, as well as creativity.

Instead of comparing American English to a hamburger, I would compare it to some exotic, and spicy, but real cuisine! I am talking of the best writers of couse. By the way, the Americans know how to cook some first rate steacks and plenty of other delicious, typically American, and refined, dishes.

I would defend British English the sameway if it was attacked.

I don’t understand text-speke…

No I don’t either, you should see some of the crap we get on here