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Old 12-31-2009, 06:42 AM   #117
DanaC
We have to go back, Kate!
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 25,964
Most of these peevs are examples of different dialects. One dialect in British English (and one in American English) has become dominant and therefore is considered correct. There is a risk, in seeking correct grammatical usage, of devaluing dialects which are just as 'correct' in terms of communication. In Britain this was wrapped up very strongly in regional and class values: we use 'Queen's English'. Queen's English, or Standard English was just the regional dialect of the Home Counties; the wealthiest and most powerful region in the country.
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