The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #119322   Message #2753749
Posted By: mandotim
27-Oct-09 - 01:56 PM
Thread Name: BS: Separated by a common language
Subject: RE: BS: Separated by a common language
Sorry, 'miself'(see, I can misspell handles too) but the name of the language I speak is English, and has been for a very, very long time. What you speak may be Canadian, Canadian English, American English or whatever, I don't really care; but my native language is English, not 'British English' or any other variant. Your argument about 'international discussions' is utterly specious, as a distinction can easily be made by referring to my language simply as 'English' and then qualifying any comparator language.
You have clearly misunderstood my point; I didn't say that only the language spoken in England can be referred to as English. You can call your own language English if you want, again, I don't care. My point was that there is no such thing as 'British English'.
Incidentally, many Americans I know believe that the language they speak is 'American'.
In support of your argument you refer to 'many of us'. Many people believe that aliens abduct people, and that toads can cure warts. Doesn't make it true or right. English is not 'one more variant', it is the original language from which so many variants have sprung.