Skip to main content
Gerry | Vanagon
Checking account...
← vanagon.com home · Continue the discussion in the forum
VanagonEuroVan
Subject:Re: English lessons
From:Steve Cotsford
Date:Sat, 7 Dec 2002 11:16:51 EST

I may be guilty of over -generalising but where I live in the South East,
most Americans I hear speaking seem to be oblivious of the difference between
adjectives and adverbs.  Adverbs seem to be unknown or are used by accident.
 On top of that they seem to use double negatives as the rule .

They often say "I don't got no Westy" and "I could care less" etc.,  which
indicates they are saying exactly the opposite of what they mean to say. i.e.
 "I don't have a Westy"  and "I couldn't care less".
Some seem to be proud of their speech patterns and the fact that they can't
spell .

I once asked my childrens'  English teacher if she ever corrected their
spoken English.
She replied "No, we wouldn't want to embarass anyone".

Go ahead, submit your corrections and suggestions.   Those who want to
improve their English will take note.  Otherwise your efforts are largely
wasted.    Good fodder for fun though !

cheers,
Steve Cotsford
Columbia SC

Have something to add on this topic today? Revive this thread in the forum »