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| Thread ID: 58957 | 2005-06-17 07:17:00 | Need help on clarifying some English words | Renmoo (66) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 364641 | 2005-06-17 11:58:00 | Hi James, As has been pointed out, it really isn't a big deal, the terms "majority speaks" and "majority wins" are both commonly used . The term "majority speaks" can imply that they have "spoken" even though they haven't uttered a word . Whoever made the comment "The English language! She is a b****** " really summed it up! Don't get me wrong, I teach literacy to adults and I love it, but it is constantly evolving . Otherwise, we'd still be using words such as "thee" and "thou" . Marnie |
Marnie (4574) | ||
| 364642 | 2005-06-17 17:17:00 | Marnie, yes it's a truism that the use of language has changed, but I humbly disagree with the concept that it "evolves" . I'd rather say that it "devolves" . I site the current debate that "majority rules vs majority speaks" being a classic example . Implausable objects (the "majority" here) are not capable of a causing modification to the verb of the sentence . Conceptional then, "the majority may have indicated . . . " might be a better structure to use . That at least places some modifiers to the predicate nominative . What passes as common use is really a dumbing-down and acceptance of trivializing the English language . I don't believe that we should all be speaking Middle English, but this slippery slope of degraded vocabulary skills is just a sign of (IMHO) laziness which I am very sure we are all wont to commit . I DO however enjoy regional accents and dialogs and colloquialisms, and will listen attentively to a local tongue as long as the technical skills of the given language are not degraded . All too much now, the "street-talk" has gotten into use as acceptable, forever closing doors on language skills that, sad to say, are not taught or corrected by those who should be so doing . Scholastically, we are all in the toilet, language-wise . I do not exclude myself . |
SurferJoe46 (51) | ||
| 364643 | 2005-06-17 19:03:00 | (Beside, being a presumably native Melayu-based language speaker, it's the prepositions and articles of english you want to concentrate on . ) Wow! You struck it right! My English teacher commented on my essays and composition that I need to crank up and focus on my prepositions . She recommended that I should log on to the net and look for some website that offer free language practices . I wonder, is there any good English-improvement website that I can work on? Language is a dynamic "substance", I believe . Lastly, what are the ways to improve your essay and composition besides writing more and more? Cheers :) |
Renmoo (66) | ||
| 364644 | 2005-06-17 22:30:00 | Lastly, what are the ways to improve your essay and composition besides writing more and more? Cheers :) Don't know . Just do more and more but don't make it a chore . Still think a copy of Swan would do you well . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . m |
mark c (247) | ||
| 364645 | 2005-06-17 23:48:00 | The English language, its variants and dialects make a fascinating subject. For any who are really interested in this, I can recommend the book "The Adventure of English" with the subtitle "The Biography of a Language" written by Melvyn Bragg. Excellent stuff and easy reading too! Cheers Richard |
Richard (739) | ||
| 364646 | 2005-06-18 00:30:00 | Marnie, yes it's a truism that the use of language has changed, but I humbly disagree with the concept that it "evolves" . I'd rather say that it "devolves" . I site the current debate that "majority rules vs majority speaks" being a classic example . Implausable objects (the "majority" here) are not capable of a causing modification to the verb of the sentence . Conceptional then, "the majority may have indicated . . . " might be a better structure to use . That at least places some modifiers to the predicate nominative . What passes as common use is really a dumbing-down and acceptance of trivializing the English language . I don't believe that we should all be speaking Middle English, but this slippery slope of degraded vocabulary skills is just a sign of (IMHO) laziness which I am very sure we are all wont to commit . I DO however enjoy regional accents and dialogs and colloquialisms, and will listen attentively to a local tongue as long as the technical skills of the given language are not degraded . All too much now, the "street-talk" has gotten into use as acceptable, forever closing doors on language skills that, sad to say, are not taught or corrected by those who should be so doing . Scholastically, we are all in the toilet, language-wise . I do not exclude myself . English crusaders make me laugh (nice use of bold btw, does that mean your views are more worthy?,Extra weight added?) Anyhow, If the english speaking world suddenly all (every last person) started to "leet speak" for example what would this do to the world? Nothing . Not a damn thing, English as you love it means nothing . Same thing if we all started to speak perfect by the book english . No change . The rules that were drummed into your head at a young age mean nothing . Language is communication not pronounciation . I'm sure everyone in the thread starters class understood exactly what he said and sought to convey, The laugage which is just a tool done its job . It worked therefore it is correct . Communication . Big book of rigid rules be damned . |
Metla (12) | ||
| 364647 | 2005-06-18 02:09:00 | Whilst the above view may have some merit,I much prefer to listen to someone who speaks well as apposed to someone who doesn't,irrespective of weather they are communicating or not. Who can say why? |
Cicero (40) | ||
| 364648 | 2005-06-18 02:25:00 | .......whether they speak of weather or whether they do not........... Actually I agree with you Cicero. It irritates the asterisks out of me the way some people are so sloppy with their speech. Swearing in every sentence and blathering worse than gorillas. I like what is called "well spoken" like those jokers on "My music" on the radio. It's a pleasure to listen to. :2cents: ...m |
mark c (247) | ||
| 364649 | 2005-06-18 02:40:00 | .......whether they speak of weather or whether they do not........... Actually I agree with you Cicero. It irritates the asterisks out of me the way some people are so sloppy with their speech. Swearing in every sentence and blathering worse than gorillas. I like what is called "well spoken" like those jokers on "My music" on the radio. It's a pleasure to listen to. :2cents: ...mI know you won't believe this,but I noticed the error and thought bugger how do you spell that and now that I have been reminded,I know.My humble apologies |
Cicero (40) | ||
| 364650 | 2005-06-18 02:46:00 | James, imho, people (as long as they are intelligent, like yourself) who learn English as a second language have a great advantage over many of us native English speakers: they question English usage and try hard to improve thier English skills. Native speakers / our general population are usually too lazy and continue using improper English, and cellphone texting only makes it worse. So once again James: 'Good onya'! :thumbs: | Strommer (42) | ||
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