English (United Kingdom)... where did it go?

[Kirkburn]

It's early Modern, but it's before dictionaries. You said we bastardized the English that was brought here, my point was that it has changed considerably since the 17th century on both sides of the pond.

I was thinking of contributing thoughts along the lines of this and your previous post. Indeed - modern British English isn't the 'root' of US English. British English 400 years ago was, with lots of tweaks and mixing since.

There's an analogy, though imperfect, in evolution. Modern apes aren't what we evolved from - modern apes and us had common ancestors.

[threetonesun]

There's an analogy, though imperfect, in evolution. Modern apes aren't what we evolved from - modern apes and us had common ancestors.

We're more like grey (gray) squirrels, in that some grey squirrels in some places are grey, and in other places they're black, but they're otherwise exactly the same, and no matter what color they appear, they're still both grey squirrels.

[Anibal P]

That is modern English, specifically around Shakespeare's time. You also have to remember that was nearly 400 years ago.

Languages do change over time, no one will disagree with that, especially when communities are isolated, but in a global age like today there's no excuse for degrading a language based on spelling mistakes (that's what these Americanisms are). The Spanish, Italians, and French have formalised their written languages, it's high time we English do so too. It's only logical to base it on British English, the form people are taught around the world in India, China, and so forth.

Except not all words follow the phonetic rule, which in itself creates cognitive dissonance.

You are wrong, at least when it comes to Spanish, just like Spaniards, Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, etc. speak differing dialects of Spanish, so is our spelling and punctuation of many things differ based on regionalities, yes in general like in English, Spanish written in Spaniard Spanish is understandable to all of us, we still differ in many other ways we spell and punctuate.

Not sure why so many choose to bitch and moan about what in reality are slight variations instead of embracing it, it's what makes each Culture different from the other.

Just like I don't force everyone to speak/write American English or Puereto Rican Spanish, you shouldn't either in the long run our similarities outweigh our differences

[ShMaunder]

Yep, it does bother me when I get commercial software that doesn't offer this. However, in cases of open source projects that are not backed by some massive company, it doesn't bother me. If it did, I would contribute an additional language table for it.

Though an interesting conversation this thread is. Just a thought, shouldn't "is" be "iz" in American English (I am aware it is not of course)?

[cashman Veteran]

See attachment for how crazy it has become...

[threetonesun]

Though an interesting conversation this thread is. Just a thought, shouldn't "is" be "iz" in American English (I am aware it is not of course)?

Short answer: no.

Long answer: s and z make similar sounds, but Americani(z)ed English does a more thorough job of differentiating them.

[Anibal P]

See attachment for how crazy it has become...

So what language should be dropped for British English? Not trying to be an ass or anything, I agree that en_UK is different enough from en_US for there to be an option, but at the expense of who? I'd rather it not get to the point where it's like that stupid Browser Ballot screen, then you'll have people crying that their glorious language has been bumped down and it's "disrespectful"

[simplezz]

Though an interesting conversation this thread is. Just a thought, shouldn't "is" be "iz" in American English (I am aware it is not of course)?

lol that's a good one. Yeah if we're being a stickler for phonetically written languages, Americans should use 'iz' like you say.

[simplezz]

See attachment for how crazy it has become...

It's funny how there are two versions of Chinese, yet the people who invented the English language (the English) are completely ignored. I think it's time to fight back and only release software with UK English with a UK flag. Put that in your pipe and smoke it :D

[Rigby]

Neither spelling is wrong, and English isn't exactly this wonderful, perfect language. Its a mangled and senseless mish-mash of many others. Also all those u's in words people are moaning about were added later to make the language seem more French. The original spellings did not have them.

?e spelling of words has changed many times. People should get over it.

[Kirkburn]

the people who invented the English language (the English) are completely ignored

No, we didn't. 99.9% of languages are not 'invented' (Esperanto and similar are exceptions), they evolve.

For one, English was and is not restricted to England, and has never been restricted to England. I especially can't imagine asking anyone to put a St. George flag (England flag) on software, instead of the Union Jack (UK flag).

They are not 'ignored' - I mean, the language is still called English. Steam is using the enUS variation of English, and is quite reasonably using a US flag - especially being a US company.

[rageagainstmachine]

well i want to see English (Scottish) ken likes? aye dinny ken if such a hing exist but. ;-)

[kaffra]

It sounds to me like you've been influenced by Americanisms. Nothing wrong with that, but if you want to be taken seriously outside of the US, then stick to British english.

Maybe in UK, but its not what I've seen in other countries. They don't care and are ok with either variation. It helps if its consistent and not a mix of both variations.

[Skyfrog]

So much bickering over a few minor spelling differences. We should all just switch to Welsh anyway.

[HardyRexion]

Old but apt... :p

To the citizens of the United States of America from Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

In light of your failure in recent years to nominate competent candidates for President of the USA and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective immediately.

(You should look up 'revocation' in the Oxford English Dictionary.)

...

Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths, and territories (except Kansas, which she does not fancy).

Your new Prime Minister, David Cameron , will appoint a Governor for America without the need for further elections.

Congress and the Senate will be disbanded. A questionnaire may be circulated next year to determine whether any of you noticed.

To aid in the transition to a British Crown dependency, the following rules are introduced with immediate effect:

1. The letter 'U' will be reinstated in words such as 'colour,' 'favour,' 'labour' and 'neighbour.' Likewise, you will learn to spell 'doughnut' without skipping half the letters, and the suffix '-ize' will be replaced by the suffix '-ise.' Generally, you will be expected to raise your vocabulary to acceptable levels. (look up 'vocabulary').

2. Using the same twenty-seven words interspersed with filler noises such as ''like' and 'you know' is an unacceptable and inefficient form of communication. There is no such thing as U.S. English. We will let Microsoft know on your behalf. The Microsoft spell-checker will be adjusted to take into account the reinstated letter 'u'' and the elimination of '-ize.'

3. July 4th will no longer be celebrated as a holiday.

4. You will learn to resolve personal issues without using guns, lawyers, or therapists. The fact that you need so many lawyers and therapists shows that you're not quite ready to be independent. Guns should only be used for shooting grouse. If you can't sort things out without suing someone or speaking to a therapist, then you're not ready to shoot grouse.

5. Therefore, you will no longer be allowed to own or carry anything more dangerous than a vegetable peeler. Although a permit will be required if you wish to carry a vegetable peeler in public.

6. All intersections will be replaced with roundabouts, and you will start driving on the left side with immediate effect. At the same time, you will go metric with immediate effect and without the benefit of conversion tables. Both roundabouts and metrication will help you understand the British sense of humour.

7. The former USA will adopt UK prices on petrol (which you have been calling gasoline) of roughly $10/US gallon. Get used to it.

8. You will learn to make real chips. Those things you call French fries are not real chips, and those things you insist on calling potato chips are properly called crisps. Real chips are thick cut, fried in animal fat, and dressed not with catsup but with vinegar.

9. The cold, tasteless stuff you insist on calling beer is not actually beer at all. Henceforth, only proper British Bitter will be referred to as beer, and European brews of known and accepted provenance will be referred to as Lager. South African beer is also acceptable, as they are pound for pound the greatest sporting nation on earth and it can only be due to the beer. They are also part of the British Commonwealth - see what it did for them. American brands will be referred to as Near-Frozen Gnat's Urine, so that all can be sold without risk of further confusion.

10. Hollywood will be required occasionally to cast English actors as good guys. Hollywood will also be required to cast English actors to play English characters. Watching Andie Macdowell attempt English dialogue in Four Weddings and a Funeral was an experience akin to having one's ears removed with a cheese grater.

11. You will cease playing American football. There is only one kind of proper football; you call it soccer. Those of you brave enough will, in time, be allowed to play rugby (which has some similarities to American football, but does not involve stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or wearing full kevlar body armour like a bunch of nancies).

12. Further, you will stop playing baseball. It is not reasonable to host an event called the World Series for a game which is not played outside ofAmerica. Since only 2.1% of you are aware there is a world beyond your borders, your error is understandable. You will learn cricket, and we will let you face the South Africans first to take the sting out of their deliveries.

13. You must tell us who killed JFK. It's been driving us mad.

14. An internal revenue agent (i.e. tax collector) from Her Majesty's Government will be with you shortly to ensure the acquisition of all monies due (backdated to 1776).

15. Daily Tea Time begins promptly at 4 p.m. with proper cups, with saucers, and never mugs, with high quality biscuits (cookies) and cakes; plus strawberries (with cream) when in season.

God Save the Queen!

[simplezz]

Good one Hardy Rexion (Y)

[einsteinbqat]

Old but apt... :p

To the citizens of the United States of America from Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

In light of your failure in recent years to nominate competent candidates for President of the USA and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective immediately.

(You should look up 'revocation' in the Oxford English Dictionary.)

...

Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths, and territories (except Kansas, which she does not fancy).

Your new Prime Minister, David Cameron , will appoint a Governor for America without the need for further elections.

Congress and the Senate will be disbanded. A questionnaire may be circulated next year to determine whether any of you noticed.

To aid in the transition to a British Crown dependency, the following rules are introduced with immediate effect:

1. The letter 'U' will be reinstated in words such as 'colour,' 'favour,' 'labour' and 'neighbour.' Likewise, you will learn to spell 'doughnut' without skipping half the letters, and the suffix '-ize' will be replaced by the suffix '-ise.' Generally, you will be expected to raise your vocabulary to acceptable levels. (look up 'vocabulary').

2. Using the same twenty-seven words interspersed with filler noises such as ''like' and 'you know' is an unacceptable and inefficient form of communication. There is no such thing as U.S. English. We will let Microsoft know on your behalf. The Microsoft spell-checker will be adjusted to take into account the reinstated letter 'u'' and the elimination of '-ize.'

3. July 4th will no longer be celebrated as a holiday.

4. You will learn to resolve personal issues without using guns, lawyers, or therapists. The fact that you need so many lawyers and therapists shows that you're not quite ready to be independent. Guns should only be used for shooting grouse. If you can't sort things out without suing someone or speaking to a therapist, then you're not ready to shoot grouse.

5. Therefore, you will no longer be allowed to own or carry anything more dangerous than a vegetable peeler. Although a permit will be required if you wish to carry a vegetable peeler in public.

6. All intersections will be replaced with roundabouts, and you will start driving on the left side with immediate effect. At the same time, you will go metric with immediate effect and without the benefit of conversion tables. Both roundabouts and metrication will help you understand the British sense of humour.

7. The former USA will adopt UK prices on petrol (which you have been calling gasoline) of roughly $10/US gallon. Get used to it.

8. You will learn to make real chips. Those things you call French fries are not real chips, and those things you insist on calling potato chips are properly called crisps. Real chips are thick cut, fried in animal fat, and dressed not with catsup but with vinegar.

9. The cold, tasteless stuff you insist on calling beer is not actually beer at all. Henceforth, only proper British Bitter will be referred to as beer, and European brews of known and accepted provenance will be referred to as Lager. South African beer is also acceptable, as they are pound for pound the greatest sporting nation on earth and it can only be due to the beer. They are also part of the British Commonwealth - see what it did for them. American brands will be referred to as Near-Frozen Gnat's Urine, so that all can be sold without risk of further confusion.

10. Hollywood will be required occasionally to cast English actors as good guys. Hollywood will also be required to cast English actors to play English characters. Watching Andie Macdowell attempt English dialogue in Four Weddings and a Funeral was an experience akin to having one's ears removed with a cheese grater.

11. You will cease playing American football. There is only one kind of proper football; you call it soccer. Those of you brave enough will, in time, be allowed to play rugby (which has some similarities to American football, but does not involve stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or wearing full kevlar body armour like a bunch of nancies).

12. Further, you will stop playing baseball. It is not reasonable to host an event called the World Series for a game which is not played outside ofAmerica. Since only 2.1% of you are aware there is a world beyond your borders, your error is understandable. You will learn cricket, and we will let you face the South Africans first to take the sting out of their deliveries.

13. You must tell us who killed JFK. It's been driving us mad.

14. An internal revenue agent (i.e. tax collector) from Her Majesty's Government will be with you shortly to ensure the acquisition of all monies due (backdated to 1776).

15. Daily Tea Time begins promptly at 4 p.m. with proper cups, with saucers, and never mugs, with high quality biscuits (cookies) and cakes; plus strawberries (with cream) when in season.

God Save the Queen!

This is great! :D

As for me, I write UK English, but speak the Canadian/US way.

[Guest]

Isn't this option usually for the EULA anyways? If it turns out you're breaking it and it doesn't even use our native Engish, how valid could it really be? :p

[Kirkburn]

Isn't this option usually for the EULA anyways? If it turns out you're breaking it and it doesn't even use our native Engish, how valid could it really be? :p

Still completely valid? Spelling a word with or without one dialect-specific letter doesn't suddenly invalidate legal documents. (The meaning is still the same).

[OOOOOOOO]

Err ... who cares? 99% of the language is the same. Do you think every developer should make sure, if they're a US based developer, that there's two language sets? Don't be silly. Enjoy the software you're using, not the tiny difference in the language. If it has a spell checker, it'll have English UK too. And that's the only time it matters.

For the record, I'm English and live in England. And I still don't care. I care more if people type bad English in general. But applications? No. Doesn't matter. :)