Americanisms In School

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31982, 8 May 1969, Page 14

Americanisms In School

Sir, —When Britain ruled an empire, the British standard of English set the norm for other countries to which the language had been exported. But circumstances change. America is now the largest, most influential unit of English speakers—almost half of the world's total. By its leading position in population size, world politics, commerce, publishing, communications, and entertainment, it has become the mainstream of the language. If English is not to split into mutually unintelligible dialects and lose its place as the world’s principal international language, it has to keep with its mainstream, as it has in the past. And “Parent” should realise that children—not just adult “Time” readers—must become used to this mainstream. Ideally, there should be an international English authority, along the lines of the French Academy, working with the help of people in broadcasting, television, publishing and education, to avoid further fragmentation. —Yours, ete., AUSTRALASIAN. May 6,1969.