General American English @ MindSay 
Last 5 years, I was an exchange student in Peace Mission. I had been a student in MO, 2002. That time was nice and perfect for me. I wasnt good in English. I stayed with American family. I did a good job about how to be a good listener and answering teh question such as " YES, NO< OK , Thank you and you'r very welcome. I loved English since I started learning. But I had to improve all of that skills. I mean, I tried to talk myself as a crazy woman that I have to come back in this country again with my self- confidence and better speaker. I was also keep in touch with all my host families. There were nice and cheer me up everytime we talked on email. When I went back to Thailand, I did a hard work with my major. I decided to start and learn more and more. I found the way to come back here again in this program. However, I graduated in B. A. English , worked as an English teacher for 4 years. During that time, I was better about my skills. Im so proud of myself. I had a lot of students. They all were like english and tried to improve their english for studying, working and taking in daily life.
Hooray! next month, Im going to visit my host families in MO again. I will show them about how can I speak better in English now....>.< See? When u have a dream, you have to follow up your dream no matter what. Like me Im also make my dream come true.
I will have a good time with them again.
Kitty
Do we need a defined standard American English language? There is some debate over the definition of what "standard English" is or ought to be. Some scholars propose each dialect or vernacular of English is a "standard" unto itself and should be valued as part of the whole. Others are dogmatic about the need for some genuine perimeters to an academic standard English.
What is taught in high school English classes? Various publishers differ on minute details of punctuation or usage of some words. Still, with the standardized tests as assessments used to determine learning and academic prowess, it seems only logical that some knowledge of a standard English is necessary.
Other standard languages present fewer complicating factors. The pre-eminence of Parisian French has reigned largely unchallenged throughout the history of recent French literature. In British English, the standard Received Pronunciation is based on the language of the upper classes in the London area, and is based on the sociolect that comes out of the British private boarding schools.
In the United States, there are variations of American English throughout but the General American accent is considered unofficial because it is perceived as accentless by most Americans. (wikipedia.org)
I find this subject fascinating simply because communication is what connects us as people. Have you ever tried to communicate with someone whose language you cannot understand? It can be completely frustrating, for sure! Communication is also much more than just a series of words strung together. There are numerous ways words can be strung together to say different things. Consider the following (from David Crystal's The Stories of English):
- the man the woman saw
- the woman the man saw
- the woman saw the man
- saw the woman the man
- saw the man the woman
Depending on the word order chosen, the meaning is completely changed. Over the centuries, our language has simplified according to our culture. It is far less specific, challenging, and communicative than in ages past. For example, today, in the US, our culture is "instant". We want everything NOW! So, our language has also become concise and, in my opinion, bland.
"It is enough to tell you that as some of my worst comrades, who are out of the way of doing me harm (having gone out of the world by the steps and the string, as I often expected to go), knew me by the name of Moll Flanders, so you may give me leave to go under that name till I dare own who I have been, as well as who I am." (Defoe, Moll Flanders)
Today, Moll might have simply said, "Call me Moll Flanders. Everyone else does." Yet, we comprehend what is said even though it was written in 1722. Our basic language structure has not changed but for some spellings and minor pronunciations. Still, the written language is usually something different than the spoken which adapts to the audience and function of the communication. We speak differently to our families and friends than we do, generally, in an academic or business surrounding. We speak differently online than we do face to face. So again I ask ... Do we need a defined standard American English language?
Interesting huh? I guess I found my paper topic! lol
~ B
Our reformat never happened. I've not been stood up often, and never for a reformatting, but, as they say, there's always a first time. Tuesday evening, a friend with a computer business was supposed to stop by and reformat my pc. He never showed. Wednesday morning, I received an email with the explanation. We will have to reschedule for some time next week. As it happens, it wouldn't have been a great time, anyway, since I'm really having trouble writing this hist of Eng paper. (ref: Do we need a defined standard American English language?)
I think what is bogging me down with this paper is that it is such a huge topic and has been a topic for literally centuries. Since the "experts" can't agree, we still do not have a genuine standard American English. Even in the time since I was originally in college (way too long to mention), grammar rules have changed in only a few instances.
I suppose the closest we come to such a thing as a "standard English" is the Modern Language Association (MLA) which maintains certain academic writing standards. I am curious to know how anyone else feels? Is computer-ese part of the English language (u r gr8)? What about words like "bootylicious", "gay"(not referring to either happiness or sexual preference), or "junk in your trunk"? What about phrases like "status quo", "c'est la vie", or "wtf"? Are these part of Standard American English? Where do we draw the lines? Should we have an organization of scholars to draw up the boundaries of "standard American English" like other countries have? What will happen to the language as the millions of Spanish-speaking people find their tongues?
Does anyone else think about this stuff, or am I just nutts? lol (Don't answer that!)
~ B
65% General American English
15% Upper Midwestern
10% Yankee
5% Midwestern
0% Dixie
What Kind of American English Do You Speak?
http://www.blogthings.com/whatkindofamericanenglishdoyouspeakquiz/