I know this is petty but... it's BOUGHT not BROUGHT!

ericonabike

Once upon a time, spelling was almost a matter of personal choice. If you look at Shakespeare's manuscripts there are many variants of even the most common words. But that wasn't seen as a social failing, or a lack of education. More that it didn't really matter, since the meaning was apparent.

Gradually, especially through the wider availability of printed matter, which encouraged standardisation, 'proper' spelling became to be seen as the mark of a gentleman. And so began the pedants' revolt...sparked of course, by What Tiler.

FWIW, I try to be really relaxed about spelling etc in an informal context, of which this forum is one example. It can be funny though - especially in the small ads. 'Four birth caravan' always cracks me up. Perhaps it had been parked in a bridal path...

Language evolves. The only ones that don't are dead. We can wail about it and lament particu;lar aspects, but the changes against which we rail will 'ere long become the new standard. Although it will be a shame when the distinction between 'uninterested' and 'disinterested' is lost as it's a useful one.

I'll get me coat...

KiKi

ericonabike wrote: »

FWIW, I try to be really relaxed about spelling etc in an informal context, of which this forum is one example.

Then it's good that the pedants aren't jumping on other people's threads and making fun of them, but using this thread (dedicated to spelling and grammar frustrations) to air their grievances!

I agree - I wouldn't leap on someone in a thread for spelling or grammar, not unless their post was literally un-readable. Internet forums are generally informal environments, after all. But just like there are threads slating landlords, mortgage lenders, banks or companies, this is a thread slating poor grammar and spelling!

You're also right that language changes. But what we're debating is the current use of spelling and grammar according to the OED. (Or so I've been told...)

KiKi

Mind_the_Gap

ericonabike wrote: »

Once upon a time, spelling was almost a matter of personal choice. If you look at Shakespeare's manuscripts there are many variants of even the most common words. But that wasn't seen as a social failing, or a lack of education. More that it didn't really matter, since the meaning was apparent.

Gradually, especially through the wider availability of printed matter, which encouraged standardisation, 'proper' spelling became to be seen as the mark of a gentleman. And so began the pedants' revolt...sparked of course, by What Tiler.

FWIW, I try to be really relaxed about spelling etc in an informal context, of which this forum is one example. It can be funny though - especially in the small ads. 'Four birth caravan' always cracks me up. Perhaps it had been parked in a bridal path...

Language evolves. The only ones that don't are dead. We can wail about it and lament particu;lar aspects, but the changes against which we rail will 'ere long become the new standard. Although it will be a shame when the distinction between 'uninterested' and 'disinterested' is lost as it's a useful one.

I'll get me coat...

This is music to my ears.

Hello again, ericonabike, my friend! In case you don't remember me, I'm the one from the Other Place who assumed you were female

Mind_the_Gap

Context is king!

We are perhaps arguing not about what is 'correct', but about what is 'standard' or even, simply what is 'found'/'not found' (the non-judgemental term!)

Whether or not it irritates us is neither here nor there, unless we're in charge of the context. (I get pretty grumpy when my students email me in anything other than Standard English, but I don't insist on it from my husband). And if enough people start using a phrase/construction, then it may indeed become 'standard' one day. Think about auxiliary verbs. In Austen's day, 'She is come' was standard; it isn't any more!

KiKi

Mind_the_Gap wrote: »

... who assumed you were female

Wait... This sounds familiar.

KiKi

Mind_the_Gap

KiKi wrote: »

Wait... This sounds familiar.

KiKi

Ha! Yes. I am actually normally quite good at working out people's genders on forums, based on their linguistic 'fingerprint'. (It's a skill of lited usefulness, of course). But in eric's case, I just read his name as 'erica'. No idea why, especially as my own first bike was an Eric Stone special*

* 531 tubing, no less (in an age when that was pretty damn 'spesial'! )

Mice_Elf

Am so glad I found this thread. Incorrect spelling & grammar are my bugbears. I was once at a craft fair & saw a stall selling all kinds of fudge, including "Rum & Raysin" and "Raisain & Vanilla". I did tell them that they were spelt incorrectly but received the reply "I'm a teacher. I know how to spell".

Another one that bites my cheese is "I arxed him" instead of "I asked him".

My 5 year old daughter's going through a phase at the moment of saying "For real" as in "For real I read a book". *sigh*

Yes, language evolves, but it evolves slowly & after some consideration for the betterment of the language, not always just for the convenience of the uneducated in using fewer characters on their phones. At this rate, will all b torkin lik this in 2 yrs. U shd c mi hmwk! Luv ya!

:mad:

/rant.

Mind_the_Gap

Am so glad I found this thread. Incorrect spelling & grammar are my bugbears. I was once at a craft fair & saw a stall selling all kinds of fudge, including "Rum & Raysin" and "Raisain & Vanilla". I did tell them that they were spelt incorrectly but received the reply "I'm a teacher. I know how to spell".

I have also seen some very non-standard spelling by teachers, but most can spell standardly if they need to. In my experience, ICT technicians are the worst culprits

Another one that bites my cheese is "I arxed him" instead of "I asked him".

I have never seen that written - do you mean in speech?

My 5 year old daughter's going through a phase at the moment of saying "For real" as in "For real I read a book". *sigh*

Just be glad she read a book

Yes, language evolves, but it evolves slowly & after some consideration for the betterment of the language, not always just for the convenience of the uneducated in using fewer characters on their phones. At this rate, will all b torkin lik this in 2 yrs. U shd c mi hmwk! Luv ya!

No, we won't (unless we want to!)...and I would be interested to seee anyone try to defend obliging everyone to use Standard English in their private communications. Why shouldn't people use 'textspeak' in texts if they wish? What's it to the rest of us? And the way we text is not necessarily the same as how we talk, anyway, is it?

Texting is in fact an inventive form of abbreviated language based on telegraphy - it's far more ingenious than you give it credit for!

:mad:

/rant.[/QUOTE]

greenface

The spoken word thats another story. My 14yo loves buuer(butter) on her bread and baaerrries(batteries) in her camera. Too much watching Eastenders and listening to Radio 1. I have a friend from Mankchester his son is now 21 and talks like a Caribbean Yardie never spoke like that as a youngster. Why text "wozz" and "Luurve" when its quicker to text the proper word. ?? I am my Dad fact.

Mind_the_Gap

greenface wrote: »

TWhy text "wozz" and "Luurve" when its quicker to text the proper word. ??

wozz (4 characters) = what's (6 characters), so shorter/quicker

lurve = not the same thing at all as 'love'