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It's becoming a thing to say in the younger generation. Although I pronounce it the British way and will continue to do so. The American way dosnt sound right.
Well, I'm old and I hang out with mostly old people.
Some of my American pronunciation and vocabulary I've kept, some I've changed. I think I've changed more than I kept, not always intentionally. It just creeps in after years.
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
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Well I'm not sure if English will still be even around in thousands of years. I bet in every era they thought the lingua franca would last forever: Sumerian, Greek, Latin.etc - English is still a young language, it arose in modern form around 1600, and it's international rise is tied firstly to British colonialism and then American mass media. It is having it's day now but I don't believe it will last forever. It is not the most perfect form of communication. I do, however, think it will rise more in Europe and elsewhere but never become truly universal. Other nations are too nationalistic and would resent English wiping out their native language. For now, the English craze is more about practicality as so much is in English. While many English speakers are monoglots, we can, I suppose, derive a sort of pride in being native speakers of the unofficial 'global language.'
He lives in Northern Ireland. So if that's where he's from, he's Irish.
He may be Irish by geographic location and ethnic background, but he definitely identifies as British as most Northern Irish do. They do not see themselves as the same as the people of the ROI
He may be Irish by geographic location and ethnic background, but he definitely identifies as British as most Northern Irish do. They do not see themselves as the same as the people of the ROI
that was my point , most people accept that two different nationalitys live in northern ireland , around 47% british - 43% irish , roughly speaking
Owenc last time I checked the British Isles are part of Europe. So you are in Europe. Even Iceland which is already half way between North America and Europe so you will still be in Europe if you go to Iceland.
Wait a second... Why English? Why can't it be French? Or Spanish? Or Italian or German?
Well, because it is an international language that so many people know, its influence covers alot of countries. USA, UK, Canada, Australia, hong Kong.
Quite alot.
French or Spanish have nowhere near the size of influence that English has. I mean Spanish is really only in South America, Mexico and Spain and perhaps the carribean.
Owenc last time I checked the British Isles are part of Europe. So you are in Europe. Even Iceland which is already half way between North America and Europe so you will still be in Europe if you go to Iceland.
No, part of the European Continential plate. We are not phyiscally on the European continent.
Iceland is half North America, half Europe. So you could be wrong depending on where you are. If i'm being honest, Iceland is more of its own continent. Its more linked with Greenland than Europe.
Either way, the North American plate boundary runs 600 miles to the west of me, so we are more or less at the end of Europe.
Last edited by Mac15; 11-01-2012 at 02:46 AM..
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