He's updated his "Story of English" book and series, and one of the theories is that old Appalacian dialect is the closest to old English existing in the world.

He also says that the Canadian dialect comes from what was originally spoken in Western New York state, apparently a heavily Tory area, many of whom migrated to Canada during the American revolution.

But Cynthia is right.  In American English, the collective noun is singular, but I have no problem with mixing and matching.

And I love the way the British say "Aluminum," "Nicaragua,"and how they put commas outside quotation marks.

I also think it's interesting that in British sitcoms any fast-talking business-type, especially if they are involved in the Entertainment industry, speaks with something very close to an American accent.

And anybody on an American sitcom who is supposed to be snooty or old-money-rich, speaks with something close to British "standard English."

Mike -- great job on responding to the Elan Vital dishonest hate mongering.  Thanks for taking the time.