Re: unfortunately, more
jason varsoke (jjv@caesun.msd.ray.com)
Wed, 18 Aug 1999 09:47:07 -0400 (EDT)
On Wed, 18 Aug 1999, Camille Scaysbrook wrote:
> Jim wrote:
> > All language is a series of cultural codes. The English spoken by
> Salinger
> > is, therefore, just a shade different than my English.
>
> ... to illustrate this point, in Australia (and England?) we always say
> `different to' rather than `different than' which sound bizzare and
> illogical to us but is always used by Americans. The scary thing is, the
> more you look at the English language, the more bizzare and illogical it
> *all* becomes. (:
>
> Camille
"different to" - ie Black is different to White. You know, to me it
sounds like Black has an opinion about White, rather than the speaker.
For example, for something that is the same to me, may be different to
you.
"different than" - ie Black is different than White. Maybe the logical
correct statement should be "Black is different from White" which we also
so, though interchangibly with "than." The word "than" doesn't seem to
have any logical meaning in the sentance other than a poor word for
"from." But "to" changes my whole perception of what's going on.
Of course I'm feeling a little bit drizzy* today.
* just learned this Aussie specific word.
-j