Remember English speakers may still have dyslexia or similar issues, in fact there’s an increased likelihood of people with dyslexia being involved with graphics because of their enhanced ability to ‘think in 3D’.
More than a little true. As a learning disabled person myself I often see spelling errors on these forums that are common among the learning disabled. And while spell check is a god send all it really tells me is that I was wrong and not which choice would be correct. Grammar mistakes tend to go hand in hand with us as well. Its code and not always a code we grasp fully because the rules can be strange uneven at times. Poor spelling and/or grammar are not indicative of a lack of education or intellect among the learning disabled. Trust me when I say that if a learning disabled individual is able and willing to write in open forums in a reasonable manner they have worked harder to get there than most people will ever understand.
My favourite is the “prostate/prostrate” confusion.
I read a story where the hero repeatedly stepped over the “prostate body of his fallen enemy.” I was laughing hysterically by the end.
The one that makes me want to cry is a sign for “bokays” of flowers.
And not ‘bare with me’?
Ooh, that one hits home. My website had “Please bare with us while we update the site” for a week or two, due to my son (webmaster) being dyslexic. We laughed it off by saying that we also had a pic of V4 in her undies, selecting what to wear, so it was a deliberate play on words
I’ve seen this quote somewhere, and love repeating it without proper attribution:
“English doesn’t borrow from other languages. It follows them down dark alleyways, knocks them down, and then sifts through their pockets for loose grammar.”
I believe Cho’s mutterings were in Welsh, which is clearly the most unpronounceable language on Earth.
Welsh is not really all that hard to pronounce (she says with tongue firmly in cheek) I can even pronounce Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyll-llantysiliogogogoch
Welsh is not really all that hard to pronounce (she says with tongue firmly in cheek) I can even pronounce Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyll-llantysiliogogogoch
Now, now, let’s not frighten the masses, shall we? Besides, we know the Welsh deliberately invented that place name as a publicity stunt. (Wikipedia)
In the movie, Barbarella, that name was used as a password. Talk about strong encryption!
Welsh is not really all that hard to pronounce (she says with tongue firmly in cheek) I can even pronounce Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyll-llantysiliogogogoch
Now, now, let’s not frighten the masses, shall we? Besides, we know the Welsh deliberately invented that place name as a publicity stunt. (Wikipedia)
In the movie, Barbarella, that name was used as a password. Talk about strong encryption!
Not all of it was invented as a stunt, part of the name did used to exist before they did that. It is actually usually said as LlanfairPG when they talk about it on the radio. Even the Welsh do think it is a bit pretentious nowadays.
Then again, contractions are not supposed to be used in written communications. At least that is what used to be taught. These days, I wonder at the excuses that are used as acceptable language.
As for the use of Middle, or Old English, I would welcome some of that. Though I daresay many wouldst have one difficult meanest attempt at understanding the tenses used.
Kendall
I laughed when I read this, and was about to suggest we start an Old English thread ...
... then I cried when I read this. Cho you scared my idea away!
chohole - 05 October 2012 01:02 PM
Ac ni fyddwn yn sôn am yr iaith hen iawn o Ynysoedd Prydain, sydd bellach yn ei ddefnyddio yn unig ar y cyrion.
Which translates as And we won’t mention the really old language from the British Isles, now only used on the fringes.
Remember English speakers may still have dyslexia or similar issues, in fact there’s an increased likelihood of people with dyslexia being involved with graphics because of their enhanced ability to ‘think in 3D’.
Fair point. Having learned a few languages myself during my travels, I know all about making mistakes while learning a language. In some countries people are quite tolerant and accepting of such mistakes, whereas in other countries they are not. To me it is important to push ahead and keep talking/reading/writing - that’s the only way to get better. There are a few people here on the forum who I admire for their courage and determination to share and communicate in English.
It would be unfortunate if people with learning disabilities get painted with the same brush as the general population we are talking about in the thread here, but as an outsider you don’t always know who is who.
The reason the “your/you’re” thing bugs me so much is that it is one of the early primary education grammar rules that should be taught in English everywhere, and yet it is so prevalent these days. I even heard it on BBC news recently and nearly fell off my chair. Can’t wait for the Royal Family to pick it up.
I believe Cho’s mutterings were in Welsh, which is clearly the most unpronounceable language on Earth.
The last I heard, Welsh was going two falls out of three with Finnish. A long time ago I came across a translation of the old Finnish heroic sagas, and some of those names almost sprained my larynx and pretzeled my tongue.
