Seriously, I just think that it's not too much asking to reply and help to those who have less-than-perfect writing skills, because they seek knowledge, and that in itself is commendable (if as one reader said before, they aren't asking for the answer on a silver plate, man I can see a pun right here!). HOWEVER, we should not digress (I think that's the right word) from correcting them, or at least politely pointing out their error(s).
Right?
Or does this attitude convey the message: "I know how to write and you don't so I'm correcting you whether you like it or not" ?
Seriously this thread is not a thread anymore, it's a ******* rope!
Right?
Or does this attitude convey the message: "I know how to write and you don't so I'm correcting you whether you like it or not" ?
Seriously this thread is not a thread anymore, it's a ******* rope!
gain-wire said:
I'll start by noting that you took the trouble to phrase your thoughts grammatically, spell correctly, and capitalize where appropriate. And that, I think, strikes to the heart of the problem. You wanted people to take your post seriously and to respond, so you made it possible for them to quickly understand your thoughts without equivocation. You might well have paused a little before framing each sentence. I don't see why a supplicant should expect help if they make it hard for someone to understand their question. If, they are 'ow you say? writing English as their second language then I'll do my best to work out what they meant and gently correct their English in order to assist them.
What really gets my goat is the questioner who effectively asks, "I've got two unsuitable valves but I'm determined to use them and I want you to tell me how to use them to do what I want."
Aengus said:
EC8010 said:If I'm not allowed to say "valve", I'm sure I'm not allowed to talk about goats on a family forum.
EC:
You have to forgive those poor unfortunates who cannot write the Queens' English correctly. Those unfortunates think that the use of the term "vacuum tube" (or "electron tube"), to represent a correctly termed "thermionic valve" (or just valve), should be adopted by everyone else in the world. Like "aluminum" and "nucular". But seriously, there are some differences in English language usage between countries, which I don't have a problem with. I do have a problem with txt spk, which, un42n8ly seems to be taking over on some forums. I just hope it doesn't get a beach-head here - I think people who have English as a second language have enough trouble using ostensibly 'normal' English without the trouble of trying to understand all the confusing abbreviations used by the short message service 'texting' community.
Cloth Ears said:
Perhaps a shallow army joke allowed along that line:
Dialogue between an M.O. and a recruit:
M.O.: How are your bowels working?
Rec: Havn't been issued with any, sir.
M.O.: I mean, are you constipated?
Rec: No sir, I volunteered.
M.O.: Heavens man, don't you know the King's English?
Rec: No sir, is he?
(from Ambrosia and Small Beer, by Edward Marsh)
Cloth Ears said:
EC:
But seriously, there are some differences in English language usage between countries, which I don't have a problem with. I do have a problem with txt spk, which, un42n8ly seems to be taking over on some forums. I just hope it doesn't get a beach-head here - I think people who have English as a second language have enough trouble using ostensibly 'normal' English without the trouble of trying to understand all the confusing abbreviations used by the short message service 'texting' community.
Wht do u mean, hrd 2 undrstnd? Txng is ez 2
SY said:
re: nucular
It's not only the deep south, it's all over - to the extent that some dictionaries have taken to listing that pronunciation (Websters' do and then say that it's because people pronouce it that way, not because it's correct). It's like 'punkin' instead of pumpkin and 'aks' instead of ask. I reckon it's a matter of education, not location - and by education I don't mean how much, but how much was imprinted on the brain.
And, what do I need a Tardis for? I plan on doing a Woody Allen and being immortal by 'not dying'.
Would You Laugh said:Wht do u mean, hrd 2 undrstnd? Txng is ez 2
Pardon me, Would You Laugh, but I'm not sure I get your drift there...
Cloth Ears said:
I'll second Nyssa; absolutely gorgeous. I got into the lift once at Television Centre and there she was in that maroon catsuit, absolutely tiny, barely came up to my elbow let alone shoulder.
I think we'll have to allow dialect spelling of "aluminium" and "valve" although I'm not so sure about "nucular" (a bit too much like "Ingerland"). Imagine if we banned all technologies/materials that had more than one spelling or pronunciation. We wouldn't be able to make valve/toob amplifiers and would be forced to use silicon (but build them on steel chassis, rather than aluminium/aloominum), dimensions would be in yards rather than metres/meters. We'd ride horses because cars running on petrol/gas wouldn't be feasible and nuclear/nucular power would finally be banned but Friends/buddys of the Earth wouldn't be able to celebrate because they'd also be banned. We'd be Amish!
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