The beauty of the English language, to me, lies in its simplicity. Try saying “I love you” in any other language and you will see the difference. More than a formal expression, it cloaks a certain warmth and sincerity vital to make it reflect the delicate inner closeness you cherish in a relationship.
I may tend to be biased here, but I think the pronouncement can come through with relative ease without any sense of an archaic or hyperbolic feel.
All the language needs is just 26 letters to weave literary magic into writing. Such is its charm that deft usage can embellish any written work and elevate it to a nifty piece of art, thereby making for memorable reading.
That said, I also have no doubt that it is not a logical language. I have for ages wondered why viscount is pronounced as “vycount” when “discount” is not “dycount”. Then why on earth is the need for a “p” in receipt when it is merely pronounced as receit! After all, deceit needs no "p" in it. They do defy logic, don’t they!
English is replete with such inconsistencies. The following examples that I received through a mail from a friend help reinforce the message that the English language is not a logical one:
You will find this a hilarious, even riveting read. Take time to relish it.
–G Joslin Vethakumar
Neither Pine nor Apple in Pineapple
“Have you ever wondered why foreigners have trouble with the English Language? Let’s face it. English is a crazy language.
There is no egg in the eggplant. No ham in the hamburger. And neither pine nor apple in the pineapple.
English muffins were not invented in England. French fries were not invented in France.
We sometimes take English for granted. But if we examine its paradoxes we find that Quicksand takes you down slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.
If writers write, how come fingers don’t fing. If the plural of tooth is teeth, shouldn’t the plural of phone booth be phone beeth. If the teacher taught, why didn’t the preacher praught.
If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? Why do people recite at a play, yet play at a recital? Park on driveways and drive on parkways.
You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language where a house can burn up as it burns down. And in which you fill in a form by filling it out. And a bell is only heard once it goes!
English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race (Which of course isn’t a race at all). That is why when the stars are out they are visible, but when the lights are out they are invisible, and why it is that when I wind up my watch it starts, but when I wind up this observation, it ends.