U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been circling the globe, hitting the reset button on America’s foreign relations. But then someone at the State Department tried – and failed – to translate “reset” into Russian. Russians know all a synonym of reset, thanks to the Matrix franchise. Now the Kremlin is urging more Americans to learn Russian. Also, middle class Pakistanis prefer English to Urdu. Plus, a new e-book on the historical roots and enduring appeal of spelling the Canadian English way. Now, just what is it about spelling that gets people so agitated? It’s only a matter of time till someone goes to war over this.
podcast #45: Hillary’s Russian lesson, and don’t mess with Canadian spelling!
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the world in words 
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Bravo Joe.
As a Canadian living overseas, I have become more sensitized to differences in English. I appreciate your frankness in discussing the subject. I appreciate the book and your efforts. When I heard your interview everything made perfect sense.
I am tired of Canada being considered 3rd rate. There are 35 million of us. We rank well ahead of either the US or UK quality of life, health care and education. Our banking system is not in need of a bailout.
“In 2008, the World Economic Forum ranked Canada’s banking system the healthiest in the world. America’s ranked 40th, Britain’s 44th.”
We don’t invade sovereign nations. We are reducing our national debt and our sales tax is going down.
As for language, absolutely. I enjoy adding “Canadian English” words to my Microsoft dictionary and explaining to very confused Japanese that centre, neighbour, colour are what they are. And it’s ZED. It just is.
Now, please send a few cans of Habitant Pea Soup and a bag of Hawkins Cheezies.
Thanks too, to Patrick Cox.
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When someone writes an article he/she retains the idea of a user in his/her brain that how a
user can understand it. Therefore that’s why this post
is amazing. Thanks!