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Message: <blockquote data-quote="sabrinathecat" data-source="post: 6186605" data-attributes="member: 89838">Language is one of those funny things.If someone were to take all of the history books (except one kept safely hidden away) and destroy them, then publish a new version that convinced everyone that the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria set sail in 1245, and everyone came to believe that for 100 years, would it change the actual date when Columbus stumbled onto American shores? Well, no. And the reaction when the last original history book with the correct information might puzzle scholars, but it does not alter time.Likewise, if you convince children that 2+2=5, and teach that in math for 100 years until everyone believes it, it doesn't change actual math (but would lead to some pretty funny physics papers!).With Language, however, the main argument seems to be whatever the most people believe to be correct is in fact correct.  And this is a science? No, most colleges I know refer to it as Linguistic Arts.But I'm also one of those obscene people that believes in pronouncing both R's in February, and frequently wince at news announcers who don't.</blockquote>