“Essentialist explanations” of languages

I really like the English language. For that reason, I really like these “essentialist explanations” of it.

English is essentially a language that uses vowels no other language would accept.
–Luís Henrique
English is essentially Anglo-Saxon with all the cool bits taken out.
–Thomas Leigh
English is essentially French converted to 7-bit ASCII.
–Christophe Pierret [for Alain LaBonté]
And let’s not forget that
Germänn ist eßëntiälly Ënglisch mit ein few Tschängen und das käpitäal Lëtteren und Lötten von Dötten.
–Nik Taylor
and
Japanese is essentially the linguistic equivalent of kicking someone’s butt.
–Danny Wier.
(via Boing Boing)

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Published:
08.30.05 / 9pm
Category:
Language