tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983828.post1423294227358517930..comments2024-01-15T23:32:18.495-06:00Comments on Metrolingua: Language predictions for the coming 50-100 yearsMargaret Larkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06421277669200495407noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983828.post-78560310789462256372016-02-07T18:46:36.844-06:002016-02-07T18:46:36.844-06:00I think your increased standardization of english ...I think your increased standardization of english theory has something to it, but I don't know if i'd agree. Yeah, we do have so much more contact, but personally I occasionally need subtitles for non-american english speakers or even southern american english speakers because their dialect can sound so strongly different. What I think you didn't take into account for that theory is that even though the romance languages developed from latin to their own individual languages with a new cultural identity, the use of latin in almost all spheres of educated society and the various types of activities and business conducted, whether international communication, liturgy, legal, or commerce, was pervasive and integral. They had regular exposure to the language that theirs descended from, and I think it's likely to happen the same way with english - it's cultural relevancy will take a long long time to die down, but I think we may all (english speaking nations) end up developing our own unique languages while maintain use of english in high society, official business, legal matters likely the media, and most certainly international communication. knightabraxashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12776305116854729450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983828.post-13418990745177017492013-08-27T10:00:20.757-05:002013-08-27T10:00:20.757-05:00English native speakers are disappearing though. T...English native speakers are disappearing though. Third worldwide now and it's easy to see that at least two languages, Arabic and Hindi will pass English soon.Jean-Marie Desrosiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04520818513704726147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983828.post-60998577433358117262010-02-02T19:11:06.211-06:002010-02-02T19:11:06.211-06:00Thanks a lot, Heather, for reading and for your ki...Thanks a lot, Heather, for reading and for your kind comments. I'm also fascinated by language change, especially since it is a dynamic phenomenon that is taking place in the "here and now," as opposed to something (such as the Great Vowel Shift) that is simply "read about" in musty linguistics texts.<br /><br />I'm not familiar with Abley's work but thank you for the recommendation. I'll also be sure to check out your post!<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />SilasAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7983828.post-41130625351693640102010-02-02T17:04:29.787-06:002010-02-02T17:04:29.787-06:00Thanks for the great post, Silas. I'm complete...Thanks for the great post, Silas. I'm completely fascinated by how language changes over time, and I love speculating about what English might sound like in the future. And I think your predictions are spot-on. <br /><br />You may already have checked it out, but if not I suspect that you'd enjoy Mark Abley's <i>The Prodigal Tongue: Dispatches from the Future of English</i>. I wrote <a href="http://the-word-blog.com/2010/01/16/the-prodigal-tongue/" rel="nofollow">a post</a> about this book not too long ago at <a href="http://the-word-blog.com" rel="nofollow">my blog</a>. <br /><br />HeatherUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06073875219942093224noreply@blogger.com