Thread: The Usefulness of Englishes

Originally Posted by tomcat

...how would you describe your accent, Manny?

Kiwi with a hint of Aussie background.

Originally Posted by tomcat

Fijian sounds limiting...

Does it? News to me, but then, your ear may be not attuned.

Originally Posted by Neverna

If the "ent" sounds like the 'ent' in the words bent, sent, dent, lent, etc, it is not the same sound as a schwa.

Yes. His example was "significant"; Schwa or not? That last bit does not rhyme with "rant".

Originally Posted by Maanaam

And what does it matter because his only contribution to the thread is commentary on others' posts, not on the OP?

When someone pointed out, that the Asian shitcunt, should not push in to a formed queue, said shitcunt ignored the point.
Hence the lesson in bogan justice. He didn’t speak English, or he ignored the request. He now speaks with a limp.

Originally Posted by Switch

When someone pointed out, that the Asian shitcunt, should not push in to a formed queue,

...cleaning out the comma closet, I see...

Originally Posted by Maanaam

Yes. His example was "significant"; Schwa or not?

For me, the final a would be pronouced as a schwa, but NPT stated clearly that "Mercans are pronouncing words ending "ant" as "ent"" ... so it seems to me they were not prouncing a schwa sound but a different sound.

Sorry Switch, Tom has a point

Originally Posted by Neverna

For me, the final a would be pronouced as a schwa, but NPT stated clearly that "Mercans are pronouncing words ending "ant" as "ent"" ... so it seems to me they were not prouncing a schwa sound but a different sound.

Yeah, I get your point. I suspected (admittedly maybe wrongly) that he was hearing a schwa as "ent" and complaining it wasn't "...ant". Because who would complain that people weren't pronouncing "significant" with a final "..ant"?
.... it's a schwa, ffs!

wtf are you on about, you could get into a fight with the Dalai Lama, sheeesh.

Originally Posted by NamPikToot

In the US, and i was going to chuck out a daily moan, Mercans are pronouncing words ending "ant" as "ent" wtf is that about - so significant becomes more like signifiKENT.

There are too many similarly sounding vowels in the alphabet and what you describe is just an example of that.

A Plan for the Improvement of English Spelling


For example, in Year 1 that useless letter "c" would be dropped to be replased either by "k" or "s," and likewise "x" would no longer be part of the alphabet.
The only kase in which "c" would be retained would be the "ch" formation, which will be dealt with later.
Year 2 might reform "w" spelling, so that "which" and "one" would take the same konsonant, wile Year 3 might well abolish "y" replasing it with "i" and Iear 4 might fiks the "g/j" anomali wonse and for all.
Jenerally, then, the improvement would kontinue iear bai iear with Iear 5 doing awai with useless double konsonants, and Iears 6-12 or so modifaiing vowlz and the rimeining voist and unvoist konsonants.
Bai Iear 15 or sou, it wud fainali bi posibl tu meik ius ov thi ridandant letez "c," "y" and "x"--bai now jast a memori in the maindz ov ould doderez--tu riplais "ch," "sh," and "th" rispektivli.
Fainali, xen, aafte sam 20 iers ov orxogrefkl riform, wi wud hev a lojikl, kohirnt speling in ius xrewawt xe Ingliy-spiking werld.

Originally Posted by NamPikToot

wtf are you on about

Your obvious lack of competance in English.
I admit spelling is a weak point of mine. Punctuation and vocabulary are weak points of both you and Lu. Also comprehension and an ability to keep up with a dialogue without diverting or misconstruing.

^ Excellent, Lom.

Originally Posted by lom

There are too many similarly sounding vowels in the alphabet and what you describe is just an example of that.
.

Right last on this from me and i regret posting in the first place and didn't expect it to turn into a thesis.

It was pronunciation of the last four letters of Significant, we pronounce KANT the mercam KENT; that aint accent its just wrong pronunciation.

Originally Posted by NamPikToot

Right last on this from me and i regret posting in the first place and didn't expect it to turn into a thesis.

It was pronunciation of the last four letters of Significant, we pronounce KANT the mercam KENT; that aint accent its just wrong pronunciation.

No it's your ears hearing the schwa and not realising it. "We" do not pronounce it "KANT" because it's a schwa.


Ironically, I can imagine a "mercan" (as Numbprick puts it) pronouncing it "KANT" without the schwa, but I find it hard to imagine a Brit not doing the schwa.

So the point that mercans can't pronounce correctly is .....correct, thanks Manny you're a star.

Originally Posted by NamPikToot

So the point that mercans can't pronounce correctly is .....correct, thanks Manny you're a star.

, no thanks needed in you emphasising your lack of proper English ability or understanding how words are supposed to be pronounced in your "queens english" (sic).
(and you still don't get it, or what a schwa is.)

Originally Posted by Maanaam

, (and you still don't get it, or what a schwa is.)

Not English, I get it. Thanks. I got to say you've been more helpful than usual.

Originally Posted by katie23

As for TD members that I've met, I didn't have difficulty in conversing with Terry57, BLD or AO. Betty's accent took a bit of getting used to, but then he also spoke a tad fast. That plus the Brit accent - it added to the difficulty. (sorry Bets!)

I am hurt! Deeply...

Actually, being from London, I own the language, nobody else, and you other non-London speakers are plain wrong. End of. FACT.

Originally Posted by NamPikToot

Not English, I get it. Thanks. I got to say you've been more helpful than usual.

It's as absolutely as English as "shadenfreude", "bravo", or "pardon me" when it has been adopted into the English language, which it has, and, as you don't realise, English is a bastard language derived from several roots. Check some English text books for "schwa"...it's a well established English term that even when trying to assist you, Nev above acknowledged.
Once again emphasising your ignorance. Don't blame me for your folly and loss of face.

Originally Posted by Maanaam

IEnglish is a bastard language derived from several roots.

Yep, its why you think you got it nailed, but bastardising it is more like it. Look up pronunciation, again. Schwa is derived from Jewish, there ya go, not English. Next.

Originally Posted by NamPikToot

Schwa is derived from Jewish

Surely everyone knows it's from muslim?

Hebrew? you spent too long in the sandpit squinting

EDIT

Love that Cy, i wonder how long you've been staring at your pooter waiting for an opportunity - that makes me smile.

You losing out to Manny on this topic...that's pretty embarrassing for you.

You should quit while you're behind, but surely you won't.

Course not he''s wrong. Not manny Pacific Islanders get past pigeon English so he's to be congratulated. Thing is Cy, with your background in Brummese I suspect most could understand his mangled dialect better than yours. Got over the result yet, seems not. Looking for someone to take your frustration out on - school tomorrow and many candidates so worry not.

Originally Posted by Norton

In my life time I have seen English replace French as the internationally accepted language of diplomacy. Suppose was Latin at one time. Things change. Reckon Chinese at some point in future.

Back when, Chinese and Arabic were the dominate lingua Franca languages for most of the civilised world - for ages.
More than likely will cycle around [Chinese].

Originally Posted by Neverna

A language is dynamic and takes on a life of its own wherever it goes, so we see differences between speakers/users in different countries and even within countries.

Brillient.

Originally Posted by Maanaam

Sorry Switch, Tom has a point

No he doesn’t. He has a round end and a pointed end, just like a turd. If he didn’t, his arse would shut with a bang ...... maybe