Continuous development in English language is inevitable and well welcome. But while Elisabet Ribbano is right “a mistake of language looks like a fort”, it is unreasonable to mourn the impact of some inspects of native reasonsHow to use a word in Guardian get some readers angry, 4 June).
“Acquired” will be an innocent, if not intecuous, English word that makes a return journey from the US, but other US variants are more problematic. For example, the phrase “can I …?” Has the more polite ways to make a request, like “Can I / Can …?” Or simply “I want …”. It is also annoying inaccurate, because in most cases the person asking for no intention to help themselves and not allowed all they want.
But adoption marketing does not only bring neglect for replacements, it can also produce. So if a sandwich and a sunset now describes “odd”, it is reasonable to imagine that even the shaking of adwentiare can think of modern language by reducing language.
Paul McGilchrist
Cromer, Norfolk
Thanks, Elisabeth Rukbans, for your cosmopolitan article and progress in words in the English language. I always fight snobbery I met among my British peers about American words or spellings. The criticism of American accents is more. My country of origin challenges pride and embarrassment at a more equal measure, but to be void from my voice, written and said, leaving a bad taste. Once we trampled this bad disability, we can appreciate the meaning of words used, not only their spelling.
Dr Amy Fulton
Oxton, Scottish Border
I grew up in ancient west, just a few miles from the county border with Lancashire. In the early 1950s, we used to use the word “obtained”. It is afraid of teachers and others addicted to standard English. I believe using the word is usually other Yorkshire districts. It’s an English and not an American word, sadly lost in use. Language progresses!
Roderick Wilson
Appleforth, North Yorkshire
If I work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, US, in the 1980s, my friendly editor has more thanks to British irony than spelling. He once wrote a draft paper: “Richard. Please select a spelling of ‘practice’ and stick it.”
Richard Lamming
Shaldon, Devon
Am I the only search of “exposed” for “shining” less than illuminating? In fact, like, who introduced “like” like?
Bill WinTrip
DORCHESTER, DORSET
So not a bad “got” before. Now where do we stand in “Snuck”?
Tony Rimmer
Lyasham St Anne, Lancashire
Don’t think “Faucet” and “got” (Letters, 29 can), I ran out my brain: In what sport did Shakespeare use “Out”? (Colon used free free.)
Iain Fenton
Military
