Stupid Americans

**BillyZ** · 12-06-2006, 01:17 AM

Ok, I admit it, I'm not the smartest guy in the world. Maybe I'm a stupid American. But right now, it's one of those times when I'm embarrassed to be an American. It's a time when I feel like I'm going to have to explain something stupid that's come out of American culture, entertainment or politics. Usually the explanation I give is a head shake and "I really don't know..."

Something that I read in last week's Guru (Bkk Post) Magazine:

"In the state of Illinois, it is illegal to teach English. The official state language is American."

So I Googled it tonight. Turns out that the official language IS English. But it used to be "American" from a 1923 law:

"American"
As the Official Language of the United States

By Washington J. McCormick

Washington J. McCormick, a Republican Congressman from Montana, in 1923 proposed to displace English in favor of "American" as the national language. Apparently, this was the first official-language measure ever considered by the U.S. Congress. The bill died in committee, although it was adopted later that year by the state of Illinois. McCormick's rationale for the change was quoted in The Nation on April 11, 1923:
I might say I would supplement the political emancipation of '76 by the mental emancipation of '23. America has lost much in literature by not thinking its own thoughts and speaking them boldly in a language unadorned with gold braid. It was only when Cooper, Irving, Mark Twain, Whitman, and O. Henry dropped the Order of the Garter and began to write American that their wings of immortality sprouted. Had Noah Webster, instead of styling his monumental work the "American Dictionary of the English Language," written a "Dictionary of the American Language," he would have become a founder instead of a compiler. Let our writers drop their top-coats, spats, and swagger-sticks, and assume occasionally their buckskin, moccasins, and tomahawks.

1923 Declaration of "American"
as the Official Language of Illinois

Whereas, Since the creation of the American Republic there have been certain Tory elements in our country who have never become reconciled to our republican institutions and have ever clung to the tradition of King and Empire; and
Whereas, America has been a haven of liberty and place of opportunity for the common people of all nations; and
Whereas, These strangers within our gates who seek economic betterment, political freedom, larger opportunities for their children and citizenship for themselves, come to think of our institutions as American and our language as the American language; and
Whereas, The name of the language of a country has a powerful psychological influence in stimulating and preserving the national ideal; and
Whereas, The languages of other countries bear the names of the countries to which they belong, ... now therefore
Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly: The official language of the State of Illinois shall be known hereafter as the "American" language and not as the "English" language.

Source: H.L. Mencken, The American Language, 4th ed., abridged, New York: Knopf, 1985, pp. 92-93.

This was repealed in 1969:

SMITH-HURD ILLINOIS COMPILED STATUTES,
ANNOTATED THROUGH 1994 SUPPLEMENT

Chapter 5, Section 460/20 – Official Language (1969)

The official language of the State of Illinois is English.*

*Repealed a 1923 law designating "American" as the official state language.

Source: Charles V. Dale and Mark Gurevitz, Legal Analysis of Proposals to Make English the Official Language of the United States, Oct. 17, 1995, Washington, D.C.: Congressional Research Service.

"The official language of the State of Illinois is English." ......call me a Stupid American, but I thought this was a given, ya know? If this was Louisiana, with it's Napoleonic laws, or even Mississippi, then it might not seem so unbelieveable. But Illinois?

One more tidbit to add here. While doing my Google research, I came across this from DePaul University:
"The Master of Arts in English provides comprehensive, intensive, and flexible coursework in the advanced study of English and American language and literatures for a variety of professional and personal ...

This is one of those things where I just shake my head and say, "I really don't know...." There are many more of these American-isms, this is mine for today.

**Marmite the Dog** · 12-06-2006, 06:57 AM

It's not so far-fetched. There is a difference between 'British' English (ie. English) and US English (ie. Simplified English).

Maybe Websters should've re-titled his dictionary, as it's hardly a serious reference to the English language and should never be taken as such.

**Boon Mee** · 12-06-2006, 07:10 AM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

It's not so far-fetched. There is a difference between 'British' English (ie. English) and US English (ie. Simplified English).

Nope...what we're talking about here is Modern English. Ain't livin' in Chaucer's day ya know!

**Marmite the Dog** · 12-06-2006, 07:21 AM

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

It's not so far-fetched. There is a difference between 'British' English (ie. English) and US English (ie. Simplified English).

Nope...what we're talking about here is Modern English. Ain't livin' in Chaucer's day ya know!

I think it's about 50/50 with the old and the new. Some US English uses the old ways (like your 'erbs instead of Herbs, and 'gotten', for example), but the main things I was getting at are the simplified spellings and grammar. Which to my mind, is stripping the character from the language, especially in its written form.

**BillyZ** · 12-06-2006, 09:47 AM

Yeah, but what % of American English is similar to current English English? At the end of the day, it comes from England's English and is still very similar. It is, plain and simple, English.

With the whole "Speak English" debate going on in the States right now, no one is saying, "Speak American." They want (mainly) Spanish speakers to speak 'English', to the point where they are pushing for it to become law in the U.S.

To me, 'speaking American' is almost as embarrassing as 'Freedom Fries'.

**Marmite the Dog** · 12-06-2006, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by BillyZ

To me, 'speaking American' is almost as embarrassing as 'Freedom Fries'.

Yee Haa!

**Storekeeper** · 12-06-2006, 09:58 AM

Wassup Marmite, whatchu be talkin' bout young blood? Learn some ebonics homie so you can be talkin' square biz too

**barbaro** · 12-06-2006, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

It's not so far-fetched. There is a difference between 'British' English (ie. English) and US English (ie. Simplified English).

United States English also has more slang/jargon, as we know.

It's worth noting that the term "American" means North and South America, and isn't exlusive to the United States.

**Mr Earl** · 12-06-2006, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by Milkman

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

It's not so far-fetched. There is a difference between 'British' English (ie. English) and US English (ie. Simplified English).

United States English also has more slang/jargon, as we know.

It's worth noting that the term "American" means North and South America, and isn't exlusive to the United States.

Perhaps but when I say I'm from America people never confuse that for Brazil!

**Mr Earl** · 12-06-2006, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by BillyZ

To me, 'speaking American' is almost as embarrassing as 'Freedom Fries'.

Yee Haa!

I second thart!

**Mr Earl** · 12-06-2006, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by Storekeeper

Wassup Marmite, whatchu be talkin' bout young blood? Learn some ebonics homie so you can be talkin' square biz too

Remember when they proposed to teach ebonics in the public schools in LA?
I wonder what happened to those geniuses!

**Marmite the Dog** · 12-06-2006, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by Milkman

United States English also has more slang/jargon, as we know.

You're kidding, right?

Originally Posted by Milkman

It's worth noting that the term "American" means North and South America, and isn't exlusive to the United States.

OK, I'm British. What are you?

**poolcleaner** · 12-06-2006, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by BillyZ

Ok, I admit it, I'm not the smartest guy in the world. Maybe I'm a stupid American. But right now, it's one of those times when I'm embarrassed to be an American. It's a time when I feel like I'm going to have to explain something stupid that's come out of American culture, entertainment or politics. Usually the explanation I give is a head shake and "I really don't know..."

Wait till you see your football team play.

Now that's going to be embarrassing!

**barbaro** · 12-06-2006, 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by Milkman

It's worth noting that the term "American" means North and South America, and isn't exlusive to the United States.

Mr. Earl:

Perhaps but when I say I'm from America people never confuse that for Brazil!

It's not about confusion. They know you are referring to the United States.

But it's not received well in Central and South America.

It's better to say you're from Estados Unidos.

**barbaro** · 12-06-2006, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by Milkman

United States English also has more slang/jargon, as we know.

You're kidding, right?

You're kidding, right?

One of the biggest complaints in parts of Europe and even Asia, is that American (sorry U.S.) English, is littered with too much slang and jargon.

Stickman has written about this as well.

But I do think you're joking Marmers....

Originally Posted by Milkman

It's worth noting that the term "American" means North and South America, and isn't exlusive to the United States.

OK, I'm British. What are you?

I'm from the states? U.S.

In East Asia I'll say American. In Europe, I say I'm American.

In Mexico, Central and South America I say Soy de Estados Unidos.

I do NOT say I'm American.

It isn't well received.

**BillyZ** · 12-06-2006, 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by Milkman

I do NOT say I'm American.

It isn't well received.

I never thought about that. But it does make sense. I'll have to remember that next time I'm speaking Mexican...

**baldrick** · 13-06-2006, 12:32 AM

This year some six million children in the U.S.--one in eight-- will take Ritalin. With 5 percent of the world's population, the U.S. consumes 85 percent of this drug. Have we considered the consequences?

and...

Despite their stubborn refusal to medicate their children with Ritalin, these other countries do not lag behind the United States in academic performance. On the contrary: according to the most recent studies, France, Germany, and Japan continue to maintain their traditional lead over the United States in tests of math and reading ability.

its a wonder its not just added to mchappy meals

**RDN** · 13-06-2006, 12:49 AM

Originally Posted by poolcleaner

...Wait till you see your football team play.

Now that's going to be embarrassing!

Good prediction! US lost 3-0!

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