Fears of British English’s disappearance are overblown
America is influencing all kinds of English, not just the British kind. But diversity is safe for a long time yet
PAUL REVERE’S ride through Concord, Massachusetts, warning that “the British are coming! The British are coming!”, is said to have saved America’s revolution from an early defeat that could have proved fatal. Much of the story, sadly for his legend, is myth. But now many Britons suspect that British English is losing a war to the American kind. As with Revere’s ride, it can be hard to winkle out the truth.
This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “The Americanisms are coming!”
From the July 22nd 2017 edition
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