Why do the British say Americans bastardized the English language?
453910
Actually they don't all say that.  And anyway it's not true.  Language is in a constant state of flux anyway.  Let's take 'Fall' (US) v 'Autumn' (UK).  'Fall' was in widespread use in the West of England (where most of the early US settlers came from).  It changed in UK but remained the same in US.  So, the change happened in UK, NOT the US.  This is true for a number of other word/phrase pairs.\n\nIf you assume - as all linguists know - that languages change over time, then it is obvious that in the 400 years or so that English speaking people have lived in America, that their language would diverge from that of the UK.  The same happened in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and, under slightly different pressures, in India, Singapore etc.\n\nEnglish in, say, Georgia and English as spoken in New York have diverged in the same period.  As a Brit, I had real difficulty understanding some of the rural residents of Georgia I met on a recent visit.\n\nThe reason many Brits use the word 'bastardised' to describe American English (yes, with an 's'!) is not so much to do with the language butmore to do with their feeling that America is insular, arrogant and full of itself.  (A view which is only partially justified, I feel).  The assumption by some Americans (as perceived by many Brits) - and largely the assumption of the US Government - that the whole world should aspire to become more like the US, that the US system of doing everything is best, that the US can and should bully other nations leads to a groundswell of feeling of alienation from America.  As we all know, it is traditional in the UK to mock people because of the way they speak!\n\nWinston Churchill (I think) said of Britain and America that we are 'two great nations divided by a common language'.  In general (unfortunately) I think he was about right.
648596
I NEVER SEEN AN AMERICAN DO THAT AND I AM AMERICAN AND I DONT DO THAT WHY DONT YOU ASK THOSE PEOPLE WHO DO IT WHY THEY DO IT \n\n"HEY AMERICAN BOY/GIRL WHY DO YOU COPY THE WAY CANADIANS TALK?"
27513
If you have access to American television shows, watch a lot of them. We don't speak the king's (British) English, which is what is taught in most foreign countries. \nWe use a lot of slang and contractions, among other things. And we also spell and pronounce a lot of words differently.\nReading books by American authors would help somewhat, but you still would not know how we pronounce things, or how we like to run words together.
616327
There are *huge* class differences in Britain. You probably have educated British friends (and the proportion having an education is actually the same in the US & UK). The vast majority of uneducated Britons (whom you will never meet) speak a slangy dialect that you will *never* understand.\n\nAlso, unlike in the UK, it's considered bad to be snobby, so using sophisticated language is frowned upon. The British actually enjoy being considered snobs--it means they're of "higher class".
930240
This a topic about English language, or literally, the English culture? If its the latter, I can almost certainly help you out: I'm from England! I am English! If it's the former, I may not be much use: we spell some words quite differently to you Americans, and we have weird expressions for things!
755537
It a messed up racist comment and for all te people on here are saying it is the truth are messed up too.  I speak spanish stupid A__es and I was born here.  You can't do anything about it.\n\nAlso English is not the official language of the US.  The US has NO official language.  For all the people stating that English is should check up on this before speaking on it.   I agree since most people speak english here people need to learn it, but why direct it at the spanish speakers.  Asians, africans, etc come here and don't speak english either.
614082
English is really a language made up with all different languages put together and phrases. People from different places speak differently. It all depends on the environment. There is no REAL English, except for maybe in England (It technically was their language first(?)). Such as there is no such thing as a TRUE American. All Americans are, are immigrants and foreigners. About the cigarettes being called fags, someone just happened to use normal words and twist them. Think of all the 'terrible' words we have now a days and if you look them up in the dictionary, they all have different meanings than what we use them for.
102184
Well all business letters either brit or Americans look the same it is type of english that is in them that is distinct. Remember we americans killed english..lol
476582
Its true that many US people do have bad steriotypes about the british. But those r only french-americans or people who side with the french. Most of the french r a snotty bunch of assholes. Both america and the UK helped them out in WW 1 and 2 yet they arent grateful. Any way it isnt most americans but the reason some do is cuz there different. People here dont know many if any British people so they only know what movies potray. Movies like Austin Powers. Im sure that there are steriotypes of americans in the UK . Like that we eather have a thick new york/ bostan accents or hick southern accents. There are mixes of different accents just as there are in Britain. But any way the french should change there flag 2 a white 1
840578
Same reason they start sentences with "Honestly" or "I swear to god".\n\nAnd it's not just Americans.\n\nBTW, did you know that when someone is being dishonest, they are more likely to invoke the name of god?
684854
americans are fat bastards and eat a lot of meat.  Due to this they have to constantly floss and take care of their teeth.  Americans also have whole businesses dedicated to whitening teeth with lasers.\n\nactually I live in america but I have lived in the UK as well.  over 1/3 or americans are obese...statisticlly..this does MAKE america fat bastards\n\nThe english dont really have laser whitnening or bleaching trends that asmericans have had for decades.  Americans like thier superficiality, cover up the weakspots.....
564392
No, they've simply "mexicanized" it.  Same as english is not the same as the Elizabethan english we inherited.\n\nDad
881533
This is not the answer that you're looking for.\n\nI just have a major bee in my bonnet about the abhorrent standard of English used in this media.\n\nThanks. I have got it off my chest now !
708611
The brits hate americans because in britain they have a "class system" which in america there is also a class system but its alot more prevalent in the UK. The brits instictively want to find out what a persons class system is when they start a conversation and this same need follows them everywhere. A brit wants to feel superior to an American but the problem with the UK is that it has alot of very poor brits. The US has alot of money so brits will throw their "culture" at americans as fast as they can so the can feel they're a higher "class" even if they're a lower class brit.
1117279
Because they're upset at your abuse to the English language and have to take it out on you.
1066463
When Shaw wrote these acerbic words, the difference between the English spoken in US and UK was distinct.  Not so now, what with increasing globalisation and American influence in trade, industry and commerce world-wide.  If someone uses an Amercanism like 'side-walk' (for platform) or 'elevator'(for lift) in his conversation with an Englishman, it wont bewlider the latter.\n\nTherefore, US and UK are not two countries separated by one language.  Shaw is outdated, no doubt
1023346
its disgusting we even have to patronize the illegals in our country...there should be english and english...period...