Language Questions

[Zhuge_Liang]

I just have a question but any related questions will also be accepted.

I just want to know if.......... What's the right spelling of

FAVORITE?

Is it "favorite or favourite" and also

COLORS

Is it "colors or colours"?

Really confused about these words. I remember my english teacher in grade 5 told me that "favourite" isn't the right spelling of "favorite" so, instead of a perfect exam, a -1 was deducted.

 

[warpus]

Favourite and Colour are British/Canadian/Australian
Favorite and Color are American

 

[Mirc]

Favourite, colour, harbour, etc - British English
Favorite, color, harbor, etc - American English.

As simple as that.


Edit: Crosspost

 

[Zhuge_Liang]

But it's still english, right?

 

[Zhuge_Liang]

and BTW, "como este" means?

(anyone who wants to learn my language?)

 

[JollyRoger]

Americans are pretty lazy and so self-centered, that they don't like "u".

 

[warpus]

But it's still english, right?

Yeah. If you're learning "British English" specifically, then colour is acceptable. If you're learning "U.S. English" specifically, drop the u.

If it's not specified which one, either spelling should be acceptable... In fact, you should probably use the u, as it is what they do in England, where the language originated.

 

[Arwon]

and BTW, "como este" means?

(anyone who wants to learn my language?)

That'd be Spanish, and assuming there's no accents on either word it means "like this."

 

[Zhuge_Liang]

but if there are accents?

 

[stormbind]

There are many classifications of 'English'. You may also find minor differences between local areas within one country.

Most people recognise two versions, one of which is American English.

The other English may be given any of a number of names: British English, Commonwealth English, International English, or simply English. The majority of the world's English speakers use this version.

The existence of different names of English exist for political reasons. Infact, the cause of there being an American English is entirely political.

There are also newer languages that are derived from English, such as Manglish (Malaysia).

Grading your academic work is a subjective decision. There is no right or wrong, but to get highest marks you have to do as your teacher wants.

 

[Zhuge_Liang]

In our country, Taglish, a mixture of english and tagalog words.

 

[sourboy]

Another difference between American and British English (and very fitting for this forum) is:

Civilization (American)
Civilisation (British)

but if there are accents?

Como este = "How are you?"

 

[warpus]

Another totally unrelated difference between British/Canadian and U.S. English is

British: Cheque
U.S.: Check

 

[sourboy]

Theater/Theatre
Center/Centre

 

[Mirc]

Another totally unrelated difference between British/Canadian and U.S. English is

British: Cheque
U.S.: Check

As well as:

Dialogue (British)
Dialog (US)

And Programme/Program.

 

[Swedishguy]

Q: What's the correct one: Djinghis Khan or Genghis Khan?

A: Urrr... Genghis Khan?

WRONG ANSWER!

There is this weird disease in english-speaking countries that makes the inhabitants pronounce things wrong. Is there an antidote?

 

[stormbind]

In our country, Taglish, a mixture of english and tagalog words.

That's interesting

Does the Philipino government advocate the use of any version of English? That might be a way to influence your teacher.

I know in some non-English speaking countries, they have American schools and British schools (as independent self-governing entities). I would assume that each school has guidelines on which form of English is considered correct.

Incidentally, I attended an international school. We were taught to use British spelling but I think American was also accepted. I would imagine consistency is important - so no mixing and matching

 

[ParadigmShifter]

Mixing and matching is OK in Scrabble though, so I can spell colour in a stupid way and save my U for my Q.

 

[Mirc]

Q: What's the correct one: Djinghis Khan or Genghis Khan?

A: Urrr... Genghis Khan?

WRONG ANSWER!

There is this weird disease in english-speaking countries that makes the inhabitants pronounce things wrong. Is there an antidote?

Why would that be correct? In English, G before I and E is softened, the vast majority of the times. Like in "Geography", "George" or "Age". So Genghis is perfectly correct. While the group "dj" is virtually inexistent in English. For your information, the words where hard G is kept before E and I are the exception (like "finger"), not the other way around.

What annoys me is when people correct others when they are in fact wrong.

Oh and again for your information, originally, in old Mongolian, it was pronounced "Chinghis".

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

Q: What's the correct one: Djinghis Khan or Genghis Khan?

A: Urrr... Genghis Khan?

WRONG ANSWER!

There is this weird disease in english-speaking countries that makes the inhabitants pronounce things wrong. Is there an antidote?

Does it matter?

I prefer the way that is easier, when it comes to language.