And english is supposed to become the standard language for the world ... ? :-)
English isn't even a language - it's a rudely glued-together mishmash of languages. Inconsistent in spelling, grammar, syntax and pronunciation ; it's amazing that any non-native speaker can learn it at all. It's sole advantage is that as an aggomerate language it's good at finding succinct new words and phrases to neatly encapsulate new ideas and technical terminology. Since there really IS no "framework", there's no problem sliding-in new stuff.
It's always fun to pick up older 'english' texts. Go back one hundred years and you'll find a lot more multisyllabic "fancy" terms in common use. Go back a few hundred years and Shakespears english is often difficult to follow. "What light through yonder window breaks" - NOBODY talks like that anymore. Go back a little further - say the Canterbury Tales - and you need a pocket translation handbook. Just a tad further and you'll need a full translation team.
Oh well, it won't be long before the only language we'll all NEED to know is the most popular dialect of Chinese. We should start studying-up right now ... useful phrases like "Right away Boss !", "Sure thing Boss !" and the ever popular "Would you like fries with that eggroll ?". What Japan threatened to be in the 80s, China will succeed at being in the 2010s - de-facto owner of the worlds industrial sector.
Xtian Fish Badges 4773My invisible friend thinks you have problems. You know, the problem with this grousing about the public education system being one thing and one thing...
