Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1998 14:57:35 -0500
Subject: Re: no fighting no biting


Innocent that I am, I had simply assumed that the first "labour" post was
by a person trained in the British system, on whatever continent that might
be, and I was pleased at the idea and the thought behind the wish:  yes,
happy workers day to al hard working people! So, before we debate, back and
forth again, the merits of one kind of spelling against another, the
"Americans" among us who either took offense or applauded the "Canadian"
stand might want to remember that Canadians are Americans, too. But the
imperialized effect of the adjective derived from a whole continent to
describe one country alone will come as no surprise to members of this list.

I found the belabo/ured exchanges mildly amusing, until some of the
contributors chose to take offense. Indeed, language matters; but can we
give our 700-some readers on this list the benefit of the doubt, and
presume they are flexible in such matters? I have a degree each from
England, France and the US. I have lived, researched and taught, in Africa,
Asisa, Europe and the US (not Canada, though). I write my friends in,
generally, an Americanized (notice my -Z-) language since this is the one I
use most often at this point in time in my life. They respond from Europe,
Asia, Africa or Australia with various spellings, depending on
circumstances. It does not bother me any more than their speaking with an
accent other-than-mine bothers me.

So, as my American teenager is fond of saying, "chill! guys, chill!"  cz

Clarisse Zimra
Dept. of English and Comparative Literatures
Member, Faculty Research Seminar on Irish and Immigration Studies
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, IL  62901-4503
off:  (618) 453-6813
messages:  (618) 453-5321
fax:  (618) 453-3253




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