On Tue, 15 Jul 2008 07:07:12 +0700, Bruce in Bangkok
wrote:



They also jabber on channel 16 a lot. Same same Malaysia. Came through
Malacca Harbour one night and have never heard so much talk. Even some
young lady that appeared to be advertising herself, albeit in vague
terms, Made me wonder what one could have done if there was an
emergency.

P.S. my spelling checker says "harbour" is a misspelled word :-)


Bruce-in-Bangkok
(correct Address is bpaige125atgmaildotcom)

Actually Bruce, I wonder whether the proliferation of the web and
various software packages will tend to nullify the differences between
the various branches of English in the not so distant future. I have
noticed that a lot of younger IT professionals spell "programme" as
the American "program" and nobody (including me) cares.

After all, the differences in American - British spelling probably
originate from the time US English was isolated from your colonial
masters. Reading Captain Cook's English and his spelling is not the
same as it would have been if he wrote today.

After all, the meaning is what is important and there are cultural
differences between the two. When I ask for a rubber at a shop I don't
expect to be handed a packet of condoms when I need an "eraser".

cheers
Peter