There's an insinuation in that sketch that Received speech is the only "proper" English. It's not; it's just one of several dialects. I was just noting that I didn't accept much of what was noted because the semantics behind the phrases have shifted over 400 years and an ocean apart. Might as well ask why the hell do people still say "God save the Queen." Save her from what? A whole host of people who don't think of that as being a verb in the subjunctive mood?
How does it insinuate that received speech is the only proper? That is how David Mitchell talks. Surely his dialect does not invalidate his point?
You really do not need to tell me about dialects. I'm Norwegian.
But then again, whenever someone is "knocked up," do you go for the pregnancy test or ask if they are tired?
I really don't know what you are on about.
Edit: I just realised you are probably talking about the herbs/'erbs bit. I believe that was a comic dig, the main purpose of which being to taunt Americans with a comparison to the French.
*MySmiley*
structured procrastinator
structured procrastinator
This message last edited by Camilla on 21/05/2010 at 12:09:05 AM
From David Mitchell: Dear America
20/05/2010 03:16:38 PM
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As a non-native Eng-spleaking person...
20/05/2010 03:32:14 PM
- 450 Views
"Could care less is" a personal peeve of mine, too.
20/05/2010 03:43:08 PM
- 449 Views
Mine also
20/05/2010 04:08:23 PM
- 582 Views
Oh, and for the record: the use of "table" as a verb in politics still confuses me for about 5 sec.
20/05/2010 04:38:35 PM
- 457 Views
What a grating accent
20/05/2010 10:41:38 PM
- 444 Views

what grammatical conventions?
20/05/2010 11:11:10 PM
- 421 Views
Subjunctive, reflective pronouns, things like that
20/05/2010 11:26:09 PM
- 439 Views
His main two points had nothing to do with all that, though...
20/05/2010 11:39:28 PM
- 549 Views
I know. I just merely said I disliked the accent and that the divergent dialects were just that
20/05/2010 11:59:25 PM
- 469 Views
How does that apply at all?
20/05/2010 11:43:49 PM
- 442 Views
Different rules for different dialects
21/05/2010 12:03:31 AM
- 556 Views
.... dialects?
21/05/2010 12:06:03 AM
- 516 Views
Yes, dialects
21/05/2010 12:20:09 AM
- 515 Views
Re: Yes, dialects
21/05/2010 12:24:25 AM
- 407 Views
Perhaps
21/05/2010 12:54:49 AM
- 501 Views
Re: Perhaps
21/05/2010 12:56:18 AM
- 431 Views
It really depends
21/05/2010 01:03:13 AM
- 609 Views
Re: It really depends
21/05/2010 01:05:21 AM
- 567 Views