Is English language Britan's greatest gift (1 Viewer)

[jsanders]

Don't put yourself down - as large as English is, even we don't have words like 'buld'

Sorry, typing on the run.

 

[jsanders]

Actually the Swan version is still much preferred to the cumbersome Edison screw

And like the TV the fact that we were so far ahead in "modernizing" the country, left us with some pretty archaic standards.

Several people claim to have invented the TV; however there is no doubt that the development of it was purely American.

RCA spent a record 50,000,000 1950s dollars, to make it a reality. Making it one of the most expensive developments in history.

 

[Rich]

And like the TV the fact that we were so far ahead in "modernizing" the country, left us with some pretty archaic standards.

Several people claim to have invented the TV; however there is no doubt that the development of it was purely American.

RCA spent a record 50,000,000 1950s dollars, to make it a reality. Making it one of the most expensive developments in history.

That's why you ended up with crappy NTSC, you should have waited for PAL

 

[Brianwarnock]

Several people claim to have invented the TV; however there is no doubt that the development of it was purely American.

RCA spent a record 50,000,000 1950s dollars, to make it a reality. Making it one of the most expensive developments in history.

We are often in danger of confusing invention with development, Invention requires genius, development requires a market.

Brian

 

[The Stoat]

Surely it was the mining industry that drove development of the steam engine thus inspiring the industrial revolution?

I believe the inspiration came from the agricultural revolution because it was the first large scale use of mechanisation to improve productivity. Industry saw what agriculture had achieved and looked for ways to do the same. The steam engine was the means to the end or the driving force for change but the idea of mechanisation and mass production could fairly be given to agriculture first.

 

[ColinEssex]

Several people claim to have invented the TV; however there is no doubt that the development of it was purely American.

I thought TV was invented by John Logie Baird (a Scottish inventor) who gave a demo in Hastings back in the 1920's - Rich will remember it. The Americans had Marconi years later and indeed the Marconi system prevailed because it had 405 lines rather than Baird's 240 and gave a much clearer picture.

Col

 

[jsanders]

I thought TV was invented by John Logie Baird (a Scottish inventor) who gave a demo in Hastings back in the 1920's - Rich will remember it. The Americans had Marconi years later and indeed the Marconi system prevailed because it had 405 lines rather than Baird's 240 and gave a much clearer picture.

Col

The problem is similar to the Xerox machine, it’s one thing to come up with the idea, it’s much harder to get it to work. Yes it is widely held that Baird got it first.

But other laid claim to it never the less.

 

[ColinEssex]

The problem is similar to the Xerox machine, it’s one thing to come up with the idea, it’s much harder to get it to work. Yes it is widely held that Baird got it first.

But other laid claim to it never the less.

So its a bit like saying Bob Hope, Cary Grant or Chaplin are American when they're actually British

Col

 

[jsanders]

So its a bit like saying Bob Hope, Cary Grant or Chaplin are American when they're actually British

Col

tomato, tomoto

 

[Brianwarnock]

tomato, tomoto

Brian

 

[ColinEssex]

Brian

Bri, I think JJ is referring to the correct (English) way of spelling Tomato V the incorrect American way

Col

 

[Brianwarnock]

But what is the relevence

Brian

Edit Oh we are back on topic

 

[jsanders]

Brian

We pronouce with a long "a" and I didn't know how to show that. So I wrote tomoto because the British use a different sound.



Col claims any born in Britain, no mater what their accomplishments or citizen status is elsewhere (USA) they are still British, so I said TT so we could forgo that discussion.

If you come to America and you become a citizen, you can still keep your ties to your homeland, but you are an American.

 

[ColinEssex]

But what is the relevence

Brian

Who knows? it must be an American subtlety - lost on me I'm afraid.

Col

 

[ColinEssex]

Col claims any born in Britain, no mater what their accomplishments or citizen status is elsewhere (USA) they are still British, so I said TT so we could forgo that discussion.

If you come to America and you become a citizen, you can still keep your ties to your homeland, but you are an American.

A piece of paper and going through some strange farcical ceremony does not change your birthright.

There's a tennis player called Greg Rudeski - he's Canadian but has British citizenship and plays tennis for Britain (not very well but he tries) anyway, he's never going to be British he'll always be Canadian. (especially with a funny American type accent)

Col

ps, the correct pronounciation is Toe-Mah-toe not Tummay-toe

 

[jsanders]

ps, the correct pronounciation is Toe-Mah-toe not Tummay-toe

I say who ever grows them gets to name them. Hum lets see who is the largest producer of tummay-toes... hold on let me think...oh yeah it’s the USA.
ding ding ding I win...

Ok that was juvenile, I know.

 

[Brianwarnock]

The whole debate on pronunciation is pointless since variations exist within our own communities, they are called regional accents.

Brian

 

[jsanders]

The whole debate on pronunciation is pointless since variations exist within our own communities, they are called regional accents.

Brian

I think accents are very cool. It always sounds so mysterious, like they speak differently then we do they must have something different and intriguing and I must find out what it is.

Accents are very cool they add a sense of the mysterious. Americans are drawn to people with accents different then themselves. When ever I want to be particularly charming I always use my Texas voice, living close to Washington DC it is very effective.

 

[Ron_dK]

Hum lets see who is the largest producer of tummay-toes... hold on let me think...oh yeah it’s the USA.
ding ding ding I win...

You mean the largest producer of tomato pasta ( Heinz), but the largest producer of tomatoes seems to be Mexico.

 

[jsanders]

You mean the largest producer of tomato pasta ( Heinz), but the largest producer of tomatoes seems to be Mexico.

Your probably right, but they’re actually part of the USA they just don’t know it yet.