7 ms·

How likely is a version of a language to even survive when it contains several features considered incorrect by virtually any native speaker (including in Anglo

How likely is a version of a language to even survive when it contains several features considered incorrect by virtually any native speaker (including in Anglosphere EU countries)? Particularly in this day and age with global media exposure, can it avoid being supplanted particularly given the might of BrE/AmE without much (if any) literature or other content?

anuila 6y ago
What are these “incorrect” features?
- vinay427 6y ago
  Several of those listed in the Vocabulary section of the OP. * assist (to mean attend) * "How is it called?" * possibility (to mean opportunity) * actual (to mean current) I speak a few other European languages with some proficiency so I'm aware of the reasons for some of these changes. However, there's no reason for the quotes around "incorrect" if you take my quote out of context. I specified that they would be considered incorrect by these native English speakers (if the intended meaning is what is listed here), if not just grammatically incorrect. I'm not claiming that there exists inherently correct or incorrect grammar.
  - anuila 6y ago
    Ah I thought you meant “incorrect features of the English language” itself.
  - hehetrthrthrjn 6y ago
    What do you mean by "native English speakers"? Native speakers of US English and British English rountinley have difficulty communicating. English has become the global language, so there will always be local forms. You can't elevate one form above all others and claim it's the one true English. British English is not special in that respect, it's just a historical form.
hehetrthrthrjn 6y ago
The survival of any language is only dependent on having a population that speaks it. In that sense Euro English potentially has a larger speakership than US or British English. The reason Euro English exists is because it's more convenient or natural for Europeans to speak it, so it lives on. English is a promiscuous language, so it's likely that unusual ("incorrect") forms will one day become a part of standard usage, given Europe's cultural and economic influence.

anuila 6y ago

What are these “incorrect” features?

vinay427 6y ago
Several of those listed in the Vocabulary section of the OP. * assist (to mean attend) * "How is it called?" * possibility (to mean opportunity) * actual (to mean current) I speak a few other European languages with some proficiency so I'm aware of the reasons for some of these changes. However, there's no reason for the quotes around "incorrect" if you take my quote out of context. I specified that they would be considered incorrect by these native English speakers (if the intended meaning is what is listed here), if not just grammatically incorrect. I'm not claiming that there exists inherently correct or incorrect grammar.
- anuila 6y ago
  Ah I thought you meant “incorrect features of the English language” itself.
- hehetrthrthrjn 6y ago
  What do you mean by "native English speakers"? Native speakers of US English and British English rountinley have difficulty communicating. English has become the global language, so there will always be local forms. You can't elevate one form above all others and claim it's the one true English. British English is not special in that respect, it's just a historical form.

hehetrthrthrjn 6y ago

The survival of any language is only dependent on having a population that speaks it. In that sense Euro English potentially has a larger speakership than US or British English. The reason Euro English exists is because it's more convenient or natural for Europeans to speak it, so it lives on. English is a promiscuous language, so it's likely that unusual ("incorrect") forms will one day become a part of standard usage, given Europe's cultural and economic influence.