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English Language

PostPosted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 1:30 pm
by eno
"Fatal floors" in exam scripts.

Just a little article I found on the BBC website, which links with THIS thread.
I suppose that the same thing is happening in the US and every other English speaking nation.

cheers
eno

Re: English Language

PostPosted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 1:37 pm
by Hagar
This is a subject dear to my heart. How long have you got? LOL ;D

which links with THIS thread.

I didn't think it was too kind for people to welcome a new member by criticising his grammar. In actual fact his grammar is fine. The only thing I can see wrong with it is the lack of capital letters & punctuation. I've seen much worse from some of the regulars here & I notice he hasn't been back. Glass houses & all that. ::)

Re: English Language

PostPosted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 1:47 pm
by ozzy72
Far easier to criticise than praise Doug ::)
Alas a symptom of our modern society, blame everyone else and go on and on about ones rights! Does anyone know the meaning of the word responsibility I wonder? ;D
Of course as a teacher I love to bitch even more than most! Mind you if you'd met 12a you'd probably understand!!!

Re: English Language

PostPosted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 2:20 pm
by eno
You have to admit that the article is perfectly true though.

My wife does online interviews for potential chatroom hosts, along with two others and some of the language and spelling is atrocious. Apart from the prevalent use of "txt" (text for the over 20s) language, the general standard of both spelling and even simple grammar is apalling, even amongst the over 20s.
Whilst language moves on and develops the fundamentals must be kept stable.

I can't say that my spelling or grammar is 100%. However I do at least attempt to communicate in the proper manner.

Re: English Language

PostPosted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 3:02 pm
by Hagar
You have to admit that the article is perfectly true though.

..............

I can't say that my spelling or grammar is 100%. However I do at least attempt to communicate in the proper manner.

I couldn't agree more Eno. This forum is generally much better than some I've visited but the mistakes I see here every day sometimes make me squirm. They're not typos as the same people make the same ones over & over again. One of the most common errors is mixing up the little words 'to' & 'too'.

While I feel strongly about it I don't think it's my place to criticise. It's difficult at times but I try to ignore it & keep my big mouth clamped firmly shut. :-X Although my own grammar is far from perfect I try to set a good example. If I start correcting people & then make a mistake myself they would be on me like a ton of bricks. :o :D

You might have noticed that my posts are often edited. I have a natural talent for correct spelling but I'm a rotten typist. LOL ;)

PS. Don't get me started on errant apostrophes. :o :D

PPS. Another common error is confusing the words 'lose' & 'loose'. Generally speaking the one with the extra letter 'O' (loose) applies to bowel complaints & women of ill repute. ::) :)

Re: English Language

PostPosted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 3:24 pm
by Felix/FFDS
"The inaccurate use of the apostrophe is so widespread as to be almost universal."


I dear say that every 1 should rid  "Eats, Shoots, and Leaves".

Re: English Language

PostPosted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 3:29 pm
by Hagar
[quote]I dear say that every 1 should rid

Re: English Language

PostPosted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 3:50 pm
by Woodlouse2002
I have a natural talent for correct spelling

In that case you have one chance to spell "remember". ;D

Re: English Language

PostPosted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 3:55 pm
by Fozzer

PS. Don't get me started on errant apostrophes. :o :D



...or missing ones...!

...A London Tube Station....>>>

..."Earls Court".... ;)....!

LOL...!

Paul.....Apostrophes galore....Love 'em... ;D...!
LOL...!

Re: English Language

PostPosted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 4:00 pm
by Hagar
In that case you have one chance to spell "remember". ;D

LOL ;D

I admit to some typos but they are generally typos. When typing I generally spell remember as 'remeber' for some unexplained reason. ??? I wouldn't make the same mistook in longhand but you probably wouldn't be able to read my writing anyway. :P :D

While we're on the subject, it's interesting to note that the most vehement critics are often prone to making similar mistakes themselves. This is a general observation & not aimed at Eno or anyone in particular. ;)

Re: English Language

PostPosted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 4:16 pm
by Hagar
...or missing ones...!

...A London Tube Station....>>>

..."Earls Court".... ;)....!

LOL...!

Paul.....Apostrophes galore....Love 'em... ;D...!
LOL...!

Good one Paul. ;) I'd never noticed that one. ::)

This leads to the question, should it be Earl's Court or Earls' Court? :D

Re: English Language

PostPosted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 4:32 pm
by Fozzer
Good one Paul. ;) I'd never noticed that one. ::)

This leads to the question, should it be Earl's Court or Earls' Court? :D


Hi Doug...!
I've got an idea it was suggested that it should be "Earl's Court"....as in, 'a Court belonging to the Earl'... ;)....!
Apparently it annoys a lot of people in London... ;D....!
LOL...!

Cheers Doug...!

Paul.

"Every time I queue up at the Post Ofifce 'to' get my Pension, 'there' are always 'too' many people renewing 'their' Road Tax.... >:(...!
..Well, at least 'two' of them...".... ::)...!

Tee-Hee... ;D...!

Re: English Language

PostPosted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 4:45 pm
by Hagar

Hi Doug...!
I've got an idea it was suggested that it should be "Earl's Court"....as in, 'a Court belonging to the Earl'... ;)....!
Apparently it annoys a lot of people in London... ;D....!
LOL...!

Cheers Doug...!

Paul.

Interesting. Strange that I've never come across it. Do you know which earl it refers to?

"Every time I queue up at the Post Office 'to' get my Pension, 'there' are always 'too' many people renewing 'their' Road Tax.... >:(...!
..Well, at least 'two' of them...".... ::)...!

Tee-Hee... ;D...!

Excellent example. This should be printed out in huge letters & pinned on the wall of every classroom in the country. ;)

PS. Don't tell anyone but I corrected a teeny typo for you. See how easy it is? ;)

PPS. Next time you collect your pension put your pennies safely in your purse in case you 'lose' your 'loose' change.

Re: English Language

PostPosted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 5:09 pm
by eno
Posting the link wasn't ment as a critisism.... just an observation after reading the original posting.

As an interesting side note to this topic.
It seems that the brain doesn't read everything that is on a page So even in a sentence with lotes if speeling mistkes it still manages to decypher exactly what is being read, as long as the basic context is right.

Just a quick example above.

cheers
eno

Re: English Language

PostPosted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 5:17 pm
by Fozzer

PS. Don't tell anyone but I corrected a teeny typo for you. See how easy it is? ;)



...sorry Doug...!

...typo's always happen after the pre-Christmas Ofifce Office parties....Hic.... ::).... ;D....!

LOL...!

Paul.