whenever

[Debra.Ziegeler]

Interesting that this feature can be now observed in US English -
Trudgill and Hannah (1985-2002 - International English) note that it
is a feature of Northern Irish English, and give the example:
'Whenever my baby was born, I became depressed' (1985: 89).

On a slightly different note, I have observed the use of 'when' in
some examples of Hong Kong English and Singaporean English
used with the function of a generic 'if' (e.g. 'When there is a fire, do
not use the lift'). This seems to be the reverse of what Matt and
Steve are describing.

Debra Ziegeler

Dr. Debra Ziegeler
School of English and Linguistics
Oxford Road
Manchester M13 9PL
UK
Tel.: (0161) 275 3142
Fax: (0161) 275 3256