Quote:
Originally Posted by mobertol
I have read some US Lit. Eric, just not a lot, and prefer to read proper English  (Studied Robert Frost for O-level for example)
I have also read the books of Laurie R. King mainly because they complete one of my own literary fantasies. Mary Russell, the protagonist wins Sherlock Holmes heart! How i envy her 
Ms. King writes very well indeed 
(Who wrote your quoted poem?) |
Emily Dickinson.
This is an interesting thread ... kinda like Seinfeld, it's about nothing. Or at least, nothing important. There is no standard English. Never has been; never will be. English is a lot like quanta; it defies being pinned down. Most languages are purpose directed ... or something like that. The kind of language you use depends on the situation in which you use it. For example, the language you use when you have just pounded the hell out of your thumb with a hammer is not what you would use in most other circumstances, unless, of course, you are like me
Spelling isn't that important either. It tends to lag behind pronunciation ... or bear little realtion to it. Brits are good at this ... mispronouncing "clerk" and "derby" with insular relish.
So have fun. And remember: don't end a sentence with a preposition (propositions are so much better
) ... and read what Churchill said about this.