Have you noticed the “Can I Get?” phrase creeping into OUR language?
I would let someone get away with “Can I Have?”, although “May I have?” is far more suited. Droves of people seem to be using the American (and quite frankly rude) version of requesting something. I work behind a bar occasionally and when faced with “Can I Get?” I reply “Sorry you can’t, I have to get it because it’s my job” only to be faced with blank stares and little understanding.
Now I say “Our” language as it is English, although you would feel like Canute if you tried to stem the flood of Americanisms breaking into the English spoken language, and there is a distinction between the two. We have pavements and lifts, they have sidewalks and elevators blahdey, blahdey, blah.
Tamarto, Tomayto I hear you say and I agree because I can understand why Americans would want to put their own stamp on a language that was thrust upon them by a vote shortly after independence – And let’s face it, it must have been hard to use the language of your recent enemies – My understanding is it narrowly beat German, if that had happened the world could be a very different place today!
My problem lies with why an Englishman would want to sound like an American. The guiltiest are the young obviously, who think it’s cool to say “Can I Get?” rather than “May I Have?” and they miss a rather pertinent point!
Think “Cool” and what do you get? American brashness and Gun Ho attitude or English finesse and subtlety?
When I want my own way I would rather be James Bond or David Niven than Frank Sinatra or Elvis Presley.
So come on people, choose the phrases that suit rather than add to the groundswell of American soundbites. English isn’t a closed shop but we should make it a rule that “One should wear a tie to get into the club, old boy”.
