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Georgia Considers English-Only Driver's Test — Why?
Georgia lawmakers may soon make trying to get a driver's license an even bigger headache for some residents. The state legislature is considering a bill that would require potential drivers to take the written test in English and without a translator. It seems like a silly idea to me.
Despite Chicness, Italy Might Say Arrivederci to English Words
Before it was the national language, Italian was just the regional dialect of Tuscany. But, since it went on to become the official language in the 1800s, Italy is ready to protect it from an English invasion. The influential Dante Alighieri Society, similar to France's Académie française, wants to erase words like "le weekend, "cool" and "OK" from conversational and written Italian.
LPGA Decides to Ditch Ban on Non-English Speaking Golfers
The triumph of non-native English speakers, who won three LPGA majors this year, indicates that speaking English is not a required skill on the golf course. Even so, the international women's pro-golf association announced a policy recently that would suspend players who do not speak English. After much outrage, the plan has been rejected.
France Ready to Admit English Is the New Lingua Franca?
French students struggling with English can soon take intensive English-language classes during vacations. France's education minister Xavier Darcos thinks poor English is a handicap disproportionately bestowed on the nonrich. He said, "Well-off families pay for study sessions abroad, I'm offering them to everyone right here."
India's Right Wing Threatens Violence Over English Store Signs
Right-wing parties in India want to restore the dominance of the Marathi language in the city of Mumbai. The Maharashtra Reconstruction Party is demanding language changes, and since it's not happening fast enough, they have threatened to attack stores that use English signs, instead of or more prominently than Marathi signs.
One regional party leader said: People are insulting Marathi pride with smaller signs.
Other Search Results
British Kitty Says 'Allo!
It's impressive enough when a cat can talk, but this one seems to have acquired an English accent. His other hobbies include taking tea, chasing "birds," and feasting on fish and chips.
Front Page: Hurricane Ike Tonight, English Channel Fire Burns, Zimbabwe Rivals Strike Power Agreement
- Hurricane Ike Tonight: Hurricane Ike is expected to make landfall with a direct hit to Galveston and Houston, with a population of 5.6 million. The National Hurricane center was crystal clear with their warning for evacuation: "Persons not heeding evacuation orders in single family one- or two-story homes will face certain death." Forecasters expect water 22 feet above sea level.
- English Channel Fire Burns: Firefighters are still putting out small fires after a blaze shut down undersea traffic in the tunnel between England and France.
Très Cool! Babies Cry in Their Native Language
I've always found it fascinating that dogs "bark" in different languages. Though we say "ruff ruff" in English, that same noise is expressed as "ouah, ouah" in French. Now here's something even cooler: German researchers have started to think that babies' wails sound different depending on what language their parents speak.
Soda or Pop? How Well Do You Know Your American Dialects?
Of course the United States doesn't have an official language — Americans can't even agree on one version of English!
Luckily the Dictionary of American Regional English is here to document the words that you don't hear everywhere in the US. Did you know "discomgollifusticated" is how some New Englanders say "discombobulated?"
Vocabulary Test Time! Can You Speak (New) English?
Every day editors of the Merriam-Webster dictionary spend hours reading books, magazines, newspapers, and online publications to find out how people are using the English language. Eventually, if a word is used enough, it gets added to the dictionary! This year, Merriam-Webster added 100 new words, including frenemy, ginormous, smackdown, sudoku, and speed dating.
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