When I first came to Japan and started teaching English I was adamant that I would teach the Queen`s English. This is strange as I feel no special allegiance to the old lady but felt I needed to promote her language.
This was because I felt a certain pride about the language born in my own country was spoken the world over. Of course the reason it`s so widely spoken is because of America.
Now of course I don`t care any more. 30 four year olds tell me the last letter of the alphabet is zee? Fine. Zebra magically gains an extra e when spoken? Yes it does. I help perpetuate this myth indeed. No in all seriousness I don`t care anymore. If you`d have told me that when I first came here I wouldn`t have believed it.
In my line of work, I deal with international people on a daily basis and I cannot stand it when they say “Zed” for Z. I would rathed hear “Zee” than “Zed”.
Zed’s dead baby, Zed’s dead.
So all of a sudden you are wearing sneakers, eating candy and walking on the sidewalk? O.O Horrific.
I love hearing “Zed.” Also I love “carpark” and “trolley” (at the grocery store) and petrol. So quaint. But then I am a stupid Amurikkuhn. Don’t give us anycredit please until we manage to elect an intelligent leader.
Dude, deal. Japan is a country that has chosen to generally go with American English, mainly because of the past (American occupation, long relationship with Macarthur, and so on). It’s the same reason Japan uses the NTSC TV standard and not PAL, uses American-type plugs and not European, and American power (very nearly). Remember, Japan is very close to the USA culturally (10 hours away by plane, not that far). I think you could cut the Japanese a break for choosing which English they will want to be more familiar with.
Hi Peter,
I`m not having a go at the Japanese in general. I think any non English speaking country that didn`t have the natives slaughtered in an attempt to bring civilisation to them would use the American version of English as it is the international standard. Why not just call it American and get it over with?
As I said above I tolerate it now. I even discuss which diapers to get for the baby (cotton) and ask children what their favourite candy is. Something not even remotely possible a year ago
hi, just came across your blog when googling for… well.. undercover.
Really enjoyed this topic. I love British English and I adore British accent. I work for a US company and I fight for British spelling against the Yanks.
I insist on what they call “the extra me” for programme even if I’m writing an email From my boss To the senior management (American). I think the Americans have given up on me.
Cheers,
Japanese girl in Osaka
A lot of Brits get upset over the use of ‘American’ English but have to understand that languages evolves over time. If it didn’t we would all speak like Chaucer or Shakespeare. There is no such thing as ‘proper’ English as the most important variety is the one that is understood. Oxford English would have little use in the ganglands of LA, and vice versa.
Considering that it has been over two hundred years since the US rejected the crown, it’s remarkable that we can still understsnd one another.