Quote Originally Posted by Dobry
Quote Originally Posted by scotcher
I'd describe 'perfect English' as English without any errors.

English speakers are remarkably tolerant of differences in style, vocabulary etc brought about by geography, to the point where they are completely irrelevant to any discussion of 'perfect English'.

I do not hear "errors" when I listen to someone from New Zealand, or Canada, or any other English speaking country, I hear differences in style, and I am certain it is the same for them when listening to me. That is a world away from the sort of mistakes foreigners make which jump out of the air like the sound of nails on a blackboard.
There are "errors", as you describe them... but usually in vocabulary, usage and spelling.

For example... what is the correct spelling... "Center"... or is it "Centre"?

Minor differences.

One of my closest friends in Madrid is an excellent Irish ESL teacher, and when he speaks to Americans, he is very difficult to understand... grammar and vocabulary. Many Americans would say he makes many errors, especially in usage. But, in my opinion, he speaks "perfect" Irish English.

I understand your meaning... differences in style, and not "errors".

But there are several important differences between British English, and American English. Errors? Or differences in style?

Which English "style" is the "perfect" English? There are important grammar, usage, vocabulary and spelling differences between the various forms of English.

A person who learns American English "perfectly", probably cannot pass the British English Proficiency exam. And the same in reverse, for a person who learns British English "perfectly", probably cannot pass an American English Proficiency exam.

Interestingly... I understand Australian English much easier than British English.
I very much doubt that an American wouldn't pass a British exam or vice versa. It's the same bloody language, just with regional variations. It's 99% mutually intelligible. Bob's your uncle? What the heck does that mean? But you certainly know, as some guy from Chicago, that it's just an exasperation. As much as it pains me, I think Scotcher's definition is right on. I may not understand every single word a Brit ever udders, but I certainly understand the overwhelming majority of what he said -- certainly enough to pass your proficency exam. Dom DeLuise, now that's another matter...