Language evolving or degenerating?

[Tups]

I've always been pedantic about getting the english language correct. I know that 'language' is an organic thing that, by it's very nature, evolves. Let's face it, we wouldn't like to be talking middle english to our friends! But where do you draw the line between evolving and degenerating? Do we give in to the abuse people make of apostrophes? Do we accept bad spelling caused by people's slovenly articulation? I love the variety of colloquialisms but should there be golden rules that we never break? Perhaps you have your own favourite words and phrases that are peculiar to your location? I have only taught english at junior school level and wouldn't purport to be an expert by any means, but I do love my mother tongue, with all its richness and I am fearful of its deterioration. What do you think?

[TrishK7]

A rare breed in this country these days, is the teacher that teaches " different from ".
I always understood that one was similar to something or different from it.
Now everyone seems to say different to. Those same people would never say similar from, so why do they say different to. Makes no sense to me.

[Tups]

That's one of my pet hates! It HAS to be 'different from!' Even news readers say 'different to' these days! One even used 'phenomena' as a singular noun!!! Trish, you've taught me something; I really thought it was those Americans who introduced 'z' into some of our words! Guess I've always been taught myself by teachers who wrote 'realise' and I've stuck with it. Maybe I'll try to use 'z' from now on; I may end up realizing I like it!