Large Scale Central

English as a primary language

General Discussion
#1

I have been lurking and occasionally posting on this and other sites for a number of years. One thing that never ceases to amaze me is how many people claim English as their primary language and yet have no idea what it is supposed to look like when written! Occasional typographical errors don’t bother me, but habitual misspelling of words, incorrect use of punctuation, or just using the wrong word in a particular situation drives me up the wall. It’s not just on website forums and pages, either. I see it on an almost daily basis in documents and letters written by people who are supposed to be professionals. I have seen better writing from people whose primary language is something other than English. From my perspective, incorrect use of the language only undermines the credibility of the writer. Interestingly enough, someone else must think this way, too, because they have put this page up on wikipedia:

http://www.wikihow.com/Use-English-Punctuation-Correctly

Language is a tool to be used, and to be used most effectively, it must be used properly.

#2

Don’t read CNN, or you will have heart failure…:frowning:

#3

Michael,

I agree with your statement, but the condition doesn’t apply exclusively to English. “Creative” spelling and “Flexible” grammar are “in” in other languages, too. :wink: :slight_smile: Forces everyone to slow down while reading, or read “things” twice, to make sure one “understands”. :frowning:

#4

I like to keep this handy for spelling gaffs. :slight_smile:

#5

Victor Smith said:

I like to keep this handy for spelling gaffs. :slight_smile:

Never mind that. Just sling the perpetrator from the gaff. Capital fun.

#6

Whell fellurz, et lukz lahk ahm en th’ mynurity Ahm willen t’ cut peepul sum slak awn thur spellun and punkyuashun… Ah’ll uzyully reed mowst thangz evun ef et iz en totul Manglish Ah gud powst wid lowzy spellun an grammur iz styll bettur thun mowst uv th’ kawnstunt bikerin’, bychin’ an mohnin’ ovur nuthin’ ah fynd en heer.

Ahm lernin t’ hayt th spellin pohlees, jus lak ah dew th’ skayl pohlees.

Yew peepul hev yurselz ah nyc Eestur!

#7

Yes, Michael;

You sure summed it up very well.

My pet peeve is the use of; there, their, they’er, and the lack of using caps where needed. This seems to be sign of a lack of knowledge of the English language, or a general lack of education.

Spelling mistakes can be made by anyone, at any time; but some never even attempt to look up words in a dictionary. I often wonder if they even own one.

The general lack of etiquette when using email is a sign of lack of self respect, let alone any respect for others.

There are times of course; that we all make mistakes on purpose; just for fun. I often type: “I is here”, just for some sort of a weird twist…!!!

Then there are those that think by not using caps, they are using some sort of personal style…without the knowledge that using caps on names is a sign of respect to the person you are addressing, and to yourself.

I know that some “Touchy” person will soon pick my note apart with a fine toothed comb; finding all sorts of mistakes in it. But then, I admit that I’m human and make many mistakes myself.
I do at least keep a dictionary next to my keyboard at all times.

#8

My pet peeve is people who use the term “gender” when what they really mean to use is “sex,” but are afraid to use it.

Gender refers to the case of words, whether masculine, feminine or neuter. It has nothing to do with the differences between the male and female mammal. Sex is the word that must be used when one is referring to that difference.

There, I feel better.

Madwolf

#9
Fred Mills said:
Yes, Michael; 
You sure summed it up very well.

My pet peeve is the use of; there, their, they’er, and the lack of using caps where needed. This seems to be sign of a lack of knowledge of the English language, or a general lack of education.

Spelling mistakes can be made by anyone, at any time; but some never even attempt to look up words in a dictionary. I often wonder if they even own one.

The general lack of etiquette when using email is a sign of lack of self respect, let alone any respect for others.

There are times of course; that we all make mistakes on purpose; just for fun. I often type: “I is here”, just for some sort of a weird twist…!!!

Then there are those that think by not using caps, they are using some sort of personal style…without the knowledge that using caps on names is a sign of respect to the person you are addressing, and to yourself.

I know that some “Touchy” person will soon pick my note apart with a fine toothed comb; finding all sorts of mistakes in it. But then, I admit that I’m human and make many mistakes myself.
I do at least keep a dictionary next to my keyboard at all times.


Sheesh Fred and here I thought you were such a relaxed fellow. :wink:

Now on that dictionary, I have several sitting on a shelf; four steps removed from my sitting position at the 'puter. If I need to go look “it” up - most of the stuff I find in my Online resources - I get up and walk a few paces.

BTW have you read “Only in Canada, You say: A Treasury of Canadian Language” yet? Me neither, but it’s on the “to do” list.

And for those who are snowed under, an update on the Okanagan weather:

Temp 21ºC and brilliant sunshine!

#10
Fred Mills said:
Yes, Michael;

My pet peeve is; But then, I admit that I’m human and make many mistakes myself.
I do at least keep a dictionary next to my keyboard at all times.


You know what makes me madder than running a cheese grader across my chest hairs?

Them that think we speak English…if you plant anyone of us in the U.K. or OZ and we speak, they’ll look at us like we arrived from some Nether Region of a Distant Galaxy…Here we just politely say, “You’re not from around here are you?”

We speak 'merican…It may be a dialect of English, but it’s a bit different.

My spelling teacher that worked so hard to teach me the right way to spelll…Is dead!..God rest her soul…but I did shun her efforts at school…THEN they invented confusers with spell checkers…this turned me into a poet and didn’t even know it.

Bob, could you help us with a spell checker to correct our droolings?

Now, please go back to next scheduled TV Program…I think “My Mother the Car” is next.

#11

Marv -

Just download IE Spell and install it. It gives you a spell checker in Internet Explorer that you can use to check any text box. I use it all the time.

Download free for personal use at http://www.iespell.com/

JR

#12
Jon Radder said:
... IE Spell
IE? Aaaayyyyeeeeeeeee! As to dictionaries, I am one of those very odd people who occasionally skip through one for the fun of it (You know, you're looking up a word, and you spot another word, which refers you to another, and so forth). I find that the longer I'm exposed to governmentalese, socio-babble and the produce of the modern educational system, the less certain I am that I know what's what. My dictionary at work is in constant use. Yes, I'm so decrepit that I find it quicker to refer to a (gasp! shudder!) book than the electronic miasma -- quicker and frequently more accurate ;)
#13

I find a good Rogets Thesaurus much more useful at finding suitable words and spell checking, than a dictionary.

#14

You also might find Roger’s Profanisausus useful if you are have difficulty with words.

For example if you have ever wondered what a “dead otter” is

Dead otter n. A single stool of immense proportions.

or to “drown some kittens” v. To pass a litter of small stools which nobody wants to give a home to.

I should warn you that as the title suggests it contains a lot of very naughty words, If I dont get banned for this post I never will… At least I am doing my bit to bring down the language barriers

It also availble as a book.

http://www.milkinfirst.com/dictionary/profanisaurus.htm

cheers

#15

Post deleted.

#16

Hi Rod.

I think Australia holds the record for the best by far slang terms.

Courtesy of Barry Humphries.

“Drier than a dead Dingoes donger” comes to mind.

Some of his, ahem, witticisms are quite unrpintable here.

#17

Many of us when we attended school, didn’t even think much about the future. Email and computers were never even thought of.
Heck we didn’t even write letters to anyone, much.
THEN, suddenly we are faced with a NEW tool for communication…EMAIL and the WORLD WIDE WEB.
Now suddenly we should be boning up on our typing skills, and writting etiquette.
Some take pride in showing respect for the people they are corresponding with, and as in the real world; others just don’t give a durn.

Yes there is “The American” way of using the English language, as there are other countries’ ways.
Short forms show up all the time to erode the use of good English. Soon these short forms become common place and enter the dictionaries.
Some of us still like the real words like “Telephone”, “Aeroplane” “Aerodrome”,“Colour”, and use them, rather than get lazy with the shorts…at least some of us can actually spell the old words !!!
Canada is having all sorts of “Crap” (In my opinion) forced on us; like “Francophone”, and “Anglophone”…I won’t use them. I’m not a “Phone”; I’m an English speaking person living in Canada. I blame the media and our politically correct bunch of politicos for the stupidity. Also a public that is lead like a flock of sheep.
Fads come and go; cheapening our world in many ways. It takes guts and courage to stand up for anything that prevents the erosion of a quality of something, just for the sake of change or sheer lazyness.
This goes for all of these things in other languages too. English isn’t the only one that looses quality every day through lazyness or a lack of proper use.

#18

Post deleted.

#19

Fr. Fred

I’m quite happy that English is my fourth language (in order of acquisition - not importance), but having said that I’m also quite amused by how ruffled some feathers get when the subjects of “French” comes up.

Latest bumper sticker here in Red Neck country - the home riding of such “illustrious characters” as Darryl Stinson and Colin Mayes - “No more Prime Ministers from Québec”!

Of course I have to check, next time I see one, if they spelled Québec correctly … slim chances, slim chances.

#20

Well, I was in High school before I realised it was pronounce Kaybek, not Kweebek. Of course, I was also 14 before I realized that damnyankee was actually two words. :smiley:

Most folks don’t realize that local customs are just that; local customs, not laws of nature.