1817  International English (warning: actually has tango content)

Date: Sun, 21 Sep 2003 19:14:54 -0500
From: Stephen Brown <Stephen.P.Brown@DAL.FRB.ORG>
Subject: International English (warning: actually has tango content)

The English language originated with the Norman conquest of England. The
combination of the German dialect spoken in Anglia and the French spoken
by the Normans became a pidgin language spoken in England. Eventually the
English forced their language on other people in the British Isles,
including the Scots, Welsh and Irish. Despite its disreputable origins,
English eventually became a world language.

During the era while England was the dominant world power, however,
French, German and Spanish had more cachet as international languages. The
real internationalization of English owes more to the open architecture
that Americans introduced into their English. With open architecture,
anyone can introduce new words. The Japanese created the term "WalkMan."
In contrast with French, which has an academy that jealously guards what
can be considered French, anything can come into usage in the
internationalized American English as long as it is accepted by users.
Consequently, "American" English gained dominance with globalization. This
story is similar to the domination of the PC over Apple computers. Open
architecture creates a product to which more people can contribute and
more people can use.

One might suspect the same is true with dances that do not change over
time. Syllabus restrained ways of dancing are likely to become like
museum pieces over time. Argentine tango has somewhat open architecture
and continues to evolve. People can introduce new ways of looking at
things, such as the nuevo-style dancers, and they have a chance of being
accepted into the dance. People can combine elements from styles that
were considered completely separate 10 years ago, and find acceptance.

Yes, someone sitting on his porch can say, "Argentine tango isn't what it
used to be/should be," but such comments are really quite irrelevant to
those who are busy dancing and expressing themselves.

With best wishes,
Steve

Stephen Brown
Tango Argentino de Tejas
https://www.tejastango.com