Date: Thu, 28 Aug 1997 14:35:11 +0900

From: Daniel Long dlong[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]X.AGE.OR.JP

Subject: fall and autumn



I have some questions about the use of "autumn" and "fall" in the US and

UK.



OED says for "fall":

In N. Amer. the ordinary name for autumn; in England now rare in

literary use, though found in some dialects; spring and fall, the fall

of the year, are, however, in fairly common use.



OED says for "autumn":

Popularly, it comprises, in Great Britain, August, September, and

October (J.); in North America, September, October, and November

(Webster)



For "fall", does this mean that "fall" is rare EVEN in literary use in

the UK, and thus not used in conversational speech?



For "autumn", I agree with what they say it being from Sept to Dec in

North America. Does it indeed start in August in UK usage? Any

insights, opinions?



==============================================

Daniel Long, Associate Professor NEW tel +81-6-723-8297

Japanese Language Research Center NEW fax +81-6-723-8302

Osaka Shoin Women's College dlong[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]joho.osaka-shoin.ac.jp

4-2-26 Hishiyanishi http://www.age.or.jp/x/oswcjlrc/

Higashi-Osaka-shi, Osaka Japan 577