Death of English

[concentric]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
I'm quite put off by folks that end sentences with prepositions.

There was a young country boy who was very bright. In fact he was Bright enough to be accepted to Harvard. One of his first assignments at Harvard was to write a paper on a Famous person. He didn't know who he would write about so he decided to go to the library and do some research. He found this difficult because he didn't know where the library was. He saw a professor walking down the hall, He stopped the professor and said to him "Do you know where the Library is at?"

The Professor looked at the young man strangely and said "Young man, here at Harvard we never end a sentence in a preposition."

The young man said "Oh, excuse me. Do you know where the library is at, *********?"

JCM

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I've seen that one.

[djmcmath]

When left uncorrected, nothing bothers me more than a dangling participle. I'm also pretty upset about people who decide that the end of the sentence is a good place to put a preposition at. Incomplete sentences, too. Oh, and what about, misplaced commas; or poorly used semicolons? Those really bug me too. Part of the problem is that writing is necessarily taught in our schools today -- I tutor in a Junior High and see amazing examples of illegible text (typed) that have decent grades written at the top. Hukd an fonnix werkd fer mee.


Dan

[concentric]

Aren't we being a bit pedantic, here? The best thing about English is that it's a non-linear language that can be arranged and rearranged basically at will. It's that, coupled with the largest vocabulary (IIRC) of any language that makes it great. I love using and abusing the English language. It's the best, and it's what's made our language evolve. IMO, it HAS evolved. Evolved, and spawned tons of cool dialects as well.

Think of them as grammar guidelines, yo.

JCM

[JonSeigel]

This thread should be called "The Death of English as Written by Americans." Take a look at posts by Brits, Aussies, and Canadians. They make far fewer spelling or grammar mistakes than Americans make. Unfortuantely, that's the way it is. (Sorry for ending the last sentence with "is.)

[propricer]

Methinks we are destined to loose !!!

[pwd72s]

Victims of Government schooling R us...

[expat]

Originally posted by pwd72s
Victims of Government schooling R us...

Thats funny! Schooling R Us.



Some of you are being too serious about the nature of the internet and its relationship (inter-relationship) with English conventions.

Someone mentioned earlier in the thread about the use of spoken vs. written communication. When typing, many people will consider (or not) the words they use depending upon the purpose(s) for which they are writing and the setting in which they are typing. I think it is pretty judgemental to value someone by their English prowess here.

This forum has a very informal setting, representing people from all around the world, with many and varied experiences and values. The written word here may not necessarily reflect their 'skill' nor their attitude towards English communication.

Some people simply don't have the motivation to proof read here. Their purpose for involvement may be more entertainment orientated and like myself, they may only spend a few minutes each time they log-on to the site reading and making comment. They don't spend 15 minutes + reading, browsing and considering too deeply their writing (English).

You can find a myriad of thesis papers written on the 'development' of English conventions. Maybe we should go back to the English of Elizabethan times

As far as I am concerned, if sum1s meseg iz clr enuf, then moov on.

I do have to say that kids seem to be having more problems with spelling as the years go on. They become adults with the same problem and the spiral continues, passing onto the next generation. Then again, this isn't a new idea. My grandfather, even in his 80's would always be getting into my dads face about the use of English conventions, my dad was always into me, and I'm into 'it' with my kids.

[expat]

Originally posted by motion
If you're going to do something, do it right, is one of my favorite mottos.

Ahhh...but who's definition of 'right' are you using and are you 100% 'right' - are you really sure???????

Pride?

[Leland Pate]

I hereby appolojize for my butchering of our language.

Geeze... listening to you guys makes it sound as if ill-pronunciation is as bad a crime as flicking cigarette butts out the window and blowing up unsuspecting minivans left and right.

[350HP930]

Death to grammar and spelling nazis on BBS's . . .

[Zeke]

No one mentioned they're, there and their. Easily the most misused words here. I type incomplete sentences like that one because it imitates speech. Informal writing is OK on a BBS, AFIC. Their, I did it again (informal). I used a acronym. Oops, I'm starting to slip; my colon needs attention

[djmcmath]

Oh, it isn't about being Grammar Nazi's, it's about a pet peeve. When somebody complains that "there brakes don twrok," and it takes me two readings to get it, it rankles me. I'd love to help, but I don't know what you're saying, I think to myself. Maybe I'm just dumber for not being able to read phonetically, like many people apparently spell.

[badcar]

Language is a victim of technology. Working everyday on this magic box that corrects my spelling and grammar only leads to sloppy use in all other instances.

[RANDY P]

At the very least, Ebonics hasn't found it's way among us.

[ChrisBennet]

Originally posted by Leland Pate
I hereby appolojize for my butchering of our language.

Geeze... listening to you guys makes it sound as if ill-pronunciation is as bad a crime as flicking cigarette butts out the window and blowing up unsuspecting minivans left and right.

Whoa! Is that cigarettes-blowing-up-minivans thing considered bad now?
-Chris
"Jimmy! Put that cigarette out and buckle your sister in! You're gonna be later for school!"

[Zeke]

Originally posted by RANDY P
At the very least, Ebonics hasn't found it's way among us.

Wazzup widat?

[RANDY P]

WERD, THAT BE THE ISHIZZIT HOMIE.

u b coo.

peace out bioch

rjp

[power]

The English patience is dieing...

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally posted by djmcmath
Oh, it isn't about being Grammar Nazi's

Don't take this personally, djmcmath.