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10/05/2008, 13:20 LyndaandRichard Joined on 01/05/2005 Posts 922 Re: English as she is spoke ?  ErnieY wrote:  LyndaandRichard wrote: On a forum, these things are forgiveable. In the national press when you frequently see these errors, it is quite disturbing as these are supposed to be the 'cream of the literary crop' The press, the cream of the literary crop, you are joking of course, they are some of the worst and most overt  offenders. The least said about the gutter press the better but even the quality broadsheets are far from innocent Mind you, doesn't this go to the heart of the topic though; if the press are indeed held up to be the 'cream of the literary crop' and are still making these gaffs what hope is there ? I couldn't think of a term to use for them at that time of night, and I was referring to the proper newspapers more so than the tabloids. These are professionals and the point is that it is their duty to get these basic things right. Imagine an accountant who can't add up (no funny remarks there about creative accounting etc), it's exactly the same. I think the problem is that schools seem to think that creative thinking is far more important than basic spelling, punctuation etc. Creative thinking is important, but if you cannot spell or put your ideas across in a way others can understand, it is a complete waste of time anyway! Kids getting A's in English who cannot even spell is ridiculous, and I think that is where the problem is starting from. And well done to the poster who spotted my deliberate mistake when I incorrectly spelt laziness. Didn't think many would pick that one up! Your Property in France    Report

10/05/2008, 13:32 krusty Joined on 13/08/2006 haute vienne (87) Posts 2,590 Re: English as she is spoke ? Remember this one from the Frost show http://www.nostalgiacentral.com/tv/comedy/frostreport.htm I know my place and I`m happy with it    Report

10/05/2008, 13:48 Gengulphus Joined on 30/01/2008 Saône et Loire Posts 84 Re: English as she is spoke ?  Dick Smith wrote:  Gengulphus wrote:  LyndaandRichard wrote: There is no excuse imo for those people, it's lazyness. The Firefox browser has a spell checking add on that can be used and this is useful when using forums… There is no certainly excuse for lazyness if you have a spell-checker! That's an interesting point, because there is no good reason why [lazyness] shouldn't be correct. But the spellchecker doesn't like it, because it follows that old, Dr Johnson Latinate spelling diktat. I am entirely in favour of Latinate diktats myself, but they are irrelevant to the spelling of 'laziness'.  The form simply follows a common rule of English morphology which used to be learned in infants' school. It's good, provided it lasts… Letizia Bonaparte    Report

10/05/2008, 13:49 powerdesal Joined on 07/01/2006 ex-Sharjah U.A.E Posts 2,174 Re: English as she is spoke ? I have a place in Sharjah, but its not really my place and I'm not happy with it. I have a place in France but I'm not there so I'm not happy about that. What to do? Woe is me. Steve now ex-Sharjah + 50 (in France) ...........................................................................    Report

10/05/2008, 13:53 You can call me Betty Joined on 23/08/2004 Beaver-Free Zone Posts 993 Re: English as she is spoke ? If I can step slightly sideways from the topic, I'd like to ask why it is that people who do want to discuss correct spelling, grammar, punctuation etc. seem to be (according to those who disagree that these are important) such an open target for abuse and ridicule ? On this particular thread, as it has been started to discuss the issue of grammatical errors, it seems that lots of people have stuck their heads over the parapet to agree that they find such errors irritating, or worse. Recently, elsewhere in cyberspace, a similar discussion provided some insight into not only how proud people are of their problems with regard to the use of their native language, but how they view anyone who does use English correctly and stands up for it. Here are a few examples: I do think people that pick up on others spelling mistakes are rather sad people or not that comfortable with themselves !! Life is too short to look down on others.(sic)   I just feel sorry for them and ignore them, it seems as though they have nothing better to do than scan through forums just to pick up on grammar and spelling mistakes.   I get infuriated when people try to show off their superior knowledge by picking up on someone's less than perfect efforts. I really don't understand where they are coming from, or what they are trying to prove.   The only possible motivation a poster could have for highlighting others' mistakes is a feeble attempt to boast about his/her own prowess. I find it distasteful and rather pathetic.   it stems from an over compensation for a poor sense of self.   Based upon the above comments, it would appear that there is a large section of the population who are not only proud of their inability to use English correctly, but seem to believe that possessing this ability is a gift only visited upon the deeply psychologically disturbed. Should we, therefore, accept the fact that being able to spell, or to use our own native language correctly is a source of shame? It looks like it.   In the year 2159 If man is still alive If woman can survive, they may find................    Report

10/05/2008, 13:56 Dick Smith Joined on 23/08/2004 Surrey and Manche (Pays Mortainais) Posts 8,817 Re: English as she is spoke ? "I am entirely in favour of Latinate diktats myself, but they are irrelevant to the spelling of 'laziness'.  The form simply follows a common rule of English morphology which used to be learned in infants' school." That form or rule being taken from Latin rather than English. Or at least a rather strange interpretation of English, based on Latin not having the letter 'y', if I recall. The fact that it has been taught does not alter the fact that it lacks logic. Working backwards from the general rule that in English a long vowel is folowed by a short consonant and vice versa gets you further, as the 'i' is shorter than the 'y'. Possibly. (There might be a hole in that theory...) Regards Dick Smith Nowhere is there warmth to be found Among those afraid of losing their ground    Report

10/05/2008, 14:03 Cat Joined on 21/01/2005 ------- Forum Moderator ------- Lot Posts 3,193 Re: English as she is spoke ? For me, good spelling, grammar, punctuation  are important, and I try my best not to let myself down.  For others these kinds of things are not as important, as they have other priorities or prevailing interests.  I would never try to shoot down another poster for their spelling or grammatical mistakes, nor make a habit of pointing out their errors, that is just plain rude, and demonstrates a distinct lack of manners. By all means stick to your standards, but don't try to belittle others if they fail to meet them.  Cathy Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...    Report

10/05/2008, 14:05 Dick Smith Joined on 23/08/2004 Surrey and Manche (Pays Mortainais) Posts 8,817 Re: English as she is spoke ? Say what you mean - who do you think is belittling whom? From your previous post you seem to think that ridiculing people who do write well is ok. Is that any different? Regards Dick Smith Nowhere is there warmth to be found Among those afraid of losing their ground    Report

10/05/2008, 14:15 Cat Joined on 21/01/2005 ------- Forum Moderator ------- Lot Posts 3,193 Re: English as she is spoke ? Quite the contrary, I admire people who write well.  I have no need to belittle anyone, as I am happy and secure enough in my own skin not to have to cry "bully" every time that someone disagrees with my point of view.  Writing well is so much more than simply observing the rules of grammar. As I said several pages back, civility is very much like grammar, there are a few simple rules to learn, and I suffer poor grammar far better than poor manners.   Cathy Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...    Report

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