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lrd-
You got the exact point I was trying to make - Idiomatic / Vugate American English is fluid, is dynamic and incorporates phrases, phrasing and words/idioms from other languages, based on the region of the country where used, or the group setting in which used.
Standard American English is that which would follow the rules set forth by Strunk/White, Orwell, Hodges, et al. and use only those foreign phrases readily accepted by the 'majority', and would be branded school or university English.
Use the word 'fixin' in NYC - and you are branded an outsider - although it is your 'standard' Idiomatic American English in the south. Inject 'already' every third word in the south, and you are branded an outsider - even though it is common in NYC. Either is accepted as normal in its 'home' but is seen as non standard in another region. Military English is acceptable among soldiers - but loses coherency to civilians - and the subset of SF Military English narrows it down even further.
All of us switch among the various different American Englishes in our frames of reference everyday.
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In the business of war, there is no invariable stategic advantage (shih) which can be relied upon at all times.
Sun-Tzu, "The Art of Warfare"
Hearing, I forget. Seeing, I remember. Writing (doing), I understand. Chinese Proverb
Too many people are looking for a magic bullet. As always, shot placement is the key. ~TR
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