> > > > > > > One judges the changes according to whether, in one's opinion, > > > > > > That's just it, with language, how do you judge who's opinion is > > correct? > > > > Ummm...by considering the arguments? When I say, "such-and-such a > change loses us an important distinction without gaining any benefit," > you might claim the the distinction is not important; you might think; > what we gain IS important; or you might agree with me. > > But which arguments are correct? You have, if I am not mistaken, lived in Minnesota and Las Vegas. Think on the differences in American English between the two locations, and the nuances in language. Would different individuals from each location agree on the importance of any change in language? Or even think to implement it? And that is a minor geographic change, what of UK English? As Corwin stated, English is a language that is being constantly tailored for ease of use, not precision. With the ease of travel, television, and the internet, we may eventually have a global standard of English, but as of today it is so fractured that there is no hope of putting it back together again. Jeff G.