[Strix]

I'm beginning to understand why I sometimes struggle with the local dialect

As computer usage spreads, and the use of computers is no longer the reserve of the educated, but has become a fantastic tool for us all, I finally get to read the strange utterings which have confused me on occasion when uttered verbally - and all has become clear!

There are some standard phrases which are mispronounced as they are widely believed to be a completely different word to that intended (eg 'been' instead of 'being' - though that's a mild one)

Now the big question is, should the internet be the medium which drives literacy in this country to a higher standard, or should we all dumb down to accommodate the lowest common denominator?

I can cope with forums such as this being littered with 'interesting' interpretations, but when I receive a letter from a bank I'd like to see they take the writing of their form letter seriously!

Should we dumb down, or should the opportunity be taken to take a step up/learn/grow?

PS - my absolute pet hate of the minute is 'weary' coz nobody can spell 'wary' 'I'm tired of big dogs' just doesn't make sense!

[peterdo]

So I take it that reference to a uman been would tick you off?

[Strix]

well yes and no really

My other problem with this stuff is that I'm pretty certain my own standards have slipped since I started hanging around here

[nanrobbo]

Strix dear see my posting on the 'Quotes that inspire you thread'- me to a tee

[peterdo]

It does me, and txt speak drives me up the wall.

[Strix]

Originally Posted by nanrobbo

Strix dear see my posting on the 'Quotes that inspire you thread'- me to a tee

did you mean the 'first in best dressed' one? In where? I thought it was 'first up best dressed?

[Mathom]

I speak with a really strong accent but I don't write in it. If I did it would just be poor written English in most instances, sorry

However this is an instance where you can see the difference between 'accent' and 'dialect' demonstrated. When someone writes words such as "nanan", or "jennel", they are writing in dialect words, and that's acceptable (in my opinion, it's a very good thing to use dialect words!). However when someone writes non-dialect words as they sound in their accent (e.g. "been" instead of "being") then that's just poor written English.

Unless you are writing a comical 'dialect poem'

Or maybe using those words to make a style point or if writing down/reporting someone's actual words?

Although, this is a forum, so perfect English isn't something you have to use! It's enough for it to make sense so the odd "human been" is OK

[Strix]

council operative: "were's y'bin?"
householder: "upstairs"
council operative: "nah - were's y'weely bin?"
householder: "Av weely bin upstairs, 'onist"

anybody any idea what just went on?

[shoeshine]

Currently the most annoying misuse of the English Language, to me, is when a Forum Poster uses the word "of" instead of "have" in their sentences.

Mind you, I could of (could've) known that when I joined SF!

I should of checked beforehand.

[Strix]

Shoey - I think you're my favourite SF pedant

[shoeshine]

Originally Posted by Strix

Shoey - I think you're my favourite SF pedant

Eye cud of bean a teecher thees daze.

[teddie]

Originally Posted by Strix

council operative: "were's y'bin?"
householder: "upstairs"
council operative: "nah - were's y'weely bin?"
householder: "Av weely bin upstairs, 'onist"

anybody any idea what just went on?

Haha that's great.. and yes, I do understand it.