Sprechen die English?

More Stanley Baxter
Elegran Nice to see you posting here!
Thank you for the links to Stanley; I'd forgotten all about him! Very funny!
I'm a bit surprised to find you posting on this thread, because it originated in OZ.
I suppose humour, like love, conquers all.
Good Health
OoRoo

Callistemon, you said ‘Nowhere has Ellianne said any of that geekesse’. You’re right. It was you who said ‘And geekesse - who appears to find so much on GN distasteful.’ And I think it was another poster who referred to ‘the perpetually offended amongst us hoiking their bosoms up and wagging their finger at us?’

Ellianne did say ‘This post is for those with a sense of humour only.’ I read that as a very clear ‘get lost if you don’t find it funny the way I do’.

I apologise to Ellianne for lumping all of you together. I don’t apologise for finding xenophobia and negative stereotyping unacceptable.

Yes, it was me who made one riposte, I can't let someone else take the blame, but I am not guilty of all the other accusations, nor I think is anyone else.
Those are your thoughts alone geekesse

Oh, and post and thread have two different meanings.

Rufus you opened a can of worms trying to bring some cheer into some dark, cold days.
I enjoyed your post.

geekesse I took it to be humorous joshing and just as much a laugh about the English language as anything else.
(I love the German language and have been learning it, on and off, since schooldays.)

FarNorth, had the last sentence been omitted, I agree that it would have been OK.

While English will likely remain the EU’s lingua franca for the foreseeable future, the language could undergo some unusual changes once it’s no longer under the watchful eye of the British. Language experts note a slightly different variation of English—known as “Euro-English”—is already spoken within the EU. Without the British, Euro-English could finally be free to flourish.

Does anyone else think it a good idea to let Euro English or International English become a language of its own? I would love it. I could speak International English when it was needed and still enjoy my native tongue as a separate language.

I thought the underlying joke was that the French would never allow German to become the lingua franca of the EU. At the time we joined the Common Market (remember that?) I was a guest at a lunch in Paris where an eminent French professor was insisting that French absolutely had to be the dominant language because of its precision, history, beauty, etc. - and certainly never English.

I requested a right of reply, which was granted, and pointed out, with a reference to a 16th century French learned work, that since the only people who spoke French comme il faut were the French themselves, it could only be ruined if it became the common language. Whereas English, I pointed out, was a grammatical mess misspoken by the English themselves, and we wouldn’t even notice what a mess the other Europeans might make of it. I was applauded by my jolly post-prandial audience, one of whom congratulated me on my imperfect subjunctives. They’ll never let German take over!

I found it funny anyway!

As regards ‘Euro-English’ there are already plenty of other varieties - Singlish (Singapore) is one that comes to mind, since we have relatives there, and of course there’s always American....

Chinese might be more appropriate.

I visited Tallinn a few years ago. We watched for a while an international football match for school teams, speaking various languages, few of which we could understand at all. But the loudspeaker announcements and the interaction between the various teams were all in English! No wonder we as a nation are quite lazy about learning languages.

More banter from Rufus and Ellianne please!!

As regards ‘Euro-English’ there are already plenty of other varieties - Singlish (Singapore) is one that comes to mind, since we have relatives there, and of course there’s always American....
And, as demonstrated on here, Strine.
As DD said when I queried why her Australian cousin, a nurse, had to take an English exam before being employed by the NHS "Australians don't speak English Mum!"

Oh dear Rufus, why must everything be seen as a criticism of you. ? Obviously the wink was a clue, well perhaps not!
Marydoll Because it usually is!
But you must know me by now, I would think.
Ever since my inauguration I've been a punchbag for various clans, possibly by teasing them by calling them "Scotch", but I reformed by making it my 2020 New Year's resolution to cease and desist.
My sense of humour, for what it's worth, has often led to misunderstandings, but I think other over-riding factors are I'm a MAN and live in OZ; although I don't propose to change either!
Your ref. to the "wink" reminds me of the time I was reported (erroneously of course) for "flirting" and duly deleted. I felt quite flattered!; but now I still feel nervous whenever an attractive lady gives me the "Come Hither" look.
Good HeaLth
OoRoo

These poms have a different sense of humour from us, you should know that by now young man. ?

Callistemon

^As regards ‘Euro-English’ there are already plenty of other varieties - Singlish (Singapore) is one that comes to mind, since we have relatives there, and of course there’s always American....^
And, as demonstrated on here, Strine.
As DD said when I queried why her Australian cousin, a nurse, had to take an English exam before being employed by the NHS "Australians don't speak English Mum!"

It's actually to show a certain level of education as well as competence in English. I used to tutor foreign nurses and care workers for Level 2 exams. Level 2 English is a minimum requirement for nurses in the UK, so Australians and others have to show that they have equivalent qualifications. Sometimes they don't and some exams taken at age 15/16 aren't accepted by the UK authorities. It's nothing to do with the version of English which Australians speak.

Esperanto, anyone?
It would save a lot of effort and money.

Rufus, I have no longer have the energy nor inclination to flirt with anyone, so you are quite safe! All my efforts go into surviving, until I can escape from my enforced incarceration.
You are wise to refrain from using the term Scotch, no idea why, but it seriously irritates us.

Wishing you good health!

Rufus don't worry I won't Hound you! Get it? Maybe not.
Scotch? Better than saying folk down here are from Scillies!

Grumppa Welcome back! I thought you'd left along with the other Grandads, but it's good to see we are not totally extinct..
You say you did a fair bit of "pointing out" during your post-prandial speech, which was a brave thing to do as a guest in Paris, because from what I've learned from watching many Black Adder programmes , the French still don't like the Brits.
Btw. did you stick with the French wine or try the Schnapps too!
OoRoo

Talking of plonk, the French and language, did you know there is a winery producing Bergerac sec and Monbazilliac called Chateau de Planques? Seriously it was named after English soldiers stopped here in the 100 years war to taste the fine wine and called it plonk it was so disgusting to them!

Catch up soon when I can get a Quantas flight over!
Ellianne I'm impressed by your Identikit presentation, but your Strine needs working on; I'd suggest !Qantas"
I'm not being pedantic, but you could be in trouble looking for that other Airline.
And don't mention "thongs" It caused great hilarity when I reported that a friend has tripped over his thongs in his back garden.!
You must be a very talented multi-linguist what with Welsh, French and English; any more?
But the thought of you speaking Welsh with a French accent makes my mind boggle!
Reminds me of a GNetter lady living in Geordieland who had a French house-guest and said he was learning to speak "Geordie" very well. My mind boggled then!
I spent some of my National Service in a billet with a couple of Geordies and we couldn't understand a word they said even without a French accent!
Btw; before you disparage "Imperial", I believe our American cousins still use it and our TV Weather reporters use a hybrid version when they mention temperature in C followed by ("that's xF in old money!") Same with rainfall!
You know how the Oldies resent change.
I'm afraid your fight will be grounded for some time yet. Talking about cutting back on the number of repatriation flights bringing stranded Aussies back home.
As you may have heard, Victoria is back in severe lockdown again because of a few positive health workers in quarantine hotels. It's becoming a way of life!
Good Health
OoRoo

Hey Rufus! I'm on your side and 'mostly' understand your humour. Keep up the good work, please. We're much better through the night though. Maybe not so much competition for me!!