scotia wrote:On the BBC News Web Site Today
The numbers represent a staggering increase over recent Chinese imports of US manufactured goods, raising some skepticism over how it would be achieved.
(my bold)
Has the takeover begun?
I will dive straight into pedantry.....I like it.
English, like all other languages, is constantly evolving and is definitely not a fixed, never to be contaminated, perfect entity. It is in fact a creole which evolved from speakers of North German, French and Norse and prides itself on acquiring vocabulary from historical connections such as "bungalow".
That said, I am sure you were being tongue in cheek however.......
You are speaking American English if you have ever discussed:
1. being side lined.
2. going off the tracks.
3. making the grade.
4. underhand deals.
5. whistle stop tours, etc., etc.
On the other hand, when Americans mention "the fall" instead of "autumn" or use the word "guess" where we wouldn't, they are continuing to use Shakespearean era English words which we have abandoned.
We Scots continue to use Norse vocabulary when we say "efter", "noo","bairn", "hame" etc. Our pronunciation is much closer to the original brought to northeast England by the Norse invaders. A modern Swedish person, for example, understands and uses these words. Swedes and Scots "clap" a dog and their husband is their "man".
Sorry for the pedantry....I couldn't help it.
TP2.