Tempted to correct, but..........

[Samai139]

Since I began this thread, perhaps I can also help end it. Having been a teacher I'll find it hard to ignore errors in posts but I now understand that there may be many reasons for them and will be less critical, and more accepting of the content. I have never sent a private message to a poster correcting an error in a post and agree with bigvalboy in his observations.

Two promises: I'll do my best to proofread my posts so I don't drive others like me crazy and I'll limit my posts to shorter paragraphs.

 

Thanks guys for all your contributions. They were intelligent, informative and humbling.

[Samai139]

Since I began this thread perhaps I can also help bring it to an end. Having been a teacher, I'll likely find it difficult to ignore errors in posts but I now realize (realise) there are many reasons for them and focus on the content. I have never sent a Private Message to anyone correcting an error in a post and understand bigvalboy's comments and reaction.

 

I shall make two promises about my own posts: I shall proofread them and try to eliminate errors that would get the attention of people like me and I'll keep them shorter and with clear paragraphs.

 

The responses have been intelligent, informative and in some cases humbling. Thanks again.

[ChiTown]

Well said!

 

Wayout,

 

Your post was very well worded. It was consise, well constructed and thoughtful.

 

I too find it easier to make mistakes when I'm communicating electronically and often push the send key and then discover my error. Proofread, then send!

[Bosguy]

Wayout,

 

Your post was very well worded. It was consise, well constructed and thoughtful.

 

I too find it easier to make mistakes when I'm communicating electronically and often push the send key and then discover my error. Proofread, then send!

 

Wish you had that option with finding guys. Over time didn't proofread and hit the send button too soon.

 

Oh well. It was fun learning

 

Boston Bill

[Kevin Slater]

A buddy corrected me the other day for misusing begs the question. I've always used it simply as raises the question, but come to find out it means "a type of logical fallacy in which the proposition to be proven is assumed implicitly or explicitly in the premise." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begging_the_question)

 

If the bible isn't true, how do you explain exorcisms?

 

I like when folk point such things out to me.

 

Kevin Slater

[+ Charlie]

Let me add one more thing. Although I made a pedantic point about articles and adjectives in earlier posts (forgive me, Erie Bear!), the "parts of speech" approach to language that most of us were taught in "grammar school" (had you thought about that term before?) was abandoned by linguistics professionals back in the 1960s. The rigid classification of words was derived from Latin, but it didn't work that well with non-European languages. In fact, it didn't work that well with English, either. Is "travel" a verb ("I like to travel") or a noun ("Travels in America") or an adjective ("a travel show")? But old habits die hard, and although diagramming sentences is hardly ever taught anymore, children will still be taught to label individual words as nouns or verbs, as though language were a natural science like biology.

[Phil_musc]

I see nothing wrong with learning how to diagram a sentence. It encourages accurate communication and clarity of thought. I realize that sounds very unprogressive, but over the course of a year I get the dubious privilege of reading the thoughts and opinions of the youth of America. In addition to the confusion and lack of experience that are a natural part of growing up, there is the additional confusion of poor sentence structure that garbles the thought so completely as to be incomprehensible, creating a sort of "WTF" moment.

 

Kevin, thanks for the clarification of begs the question, although I had to read the Wikipedia quote several times before I understood it.

 

Charlie, words can be used in more than one way, and this is nothing new in English, as I'm sure you know.

[+ Charlie]

Yes, words can be used in various ways, which is why the scientific approach of labeling a word as only one thing (those damn 18th century German grammarians!) doesn't work very well in English.

[jgoo]

Chances are that many who write with grammatical, spelling, syntax, etc errors will also speak poorly. When people speak with poor grammar, slang, mispronunciation, etc. I certainly make judgments about those individuals, perhaps more negatively than similar written errors. How many of us have a negative feeling about a restaurant or a store we shop at when the waiter/waitress or clerk makes these errors in communicating with customers? Ok, maybe we will cut them some slack if the waiter or clerk is a very cute guy, but I think it is not unusual to have a negative reaction. I wonder if people understand how they are perceived and how their advancement in their jobs is adversely impacted by errors in how they speak. Yes, very judgmental (see the other thread on making judgments) but I am not sure I should apologize for feeling that way.

[robberbaron4u]

No, an apology is not required of you as you have made a valid statement. Presentation is 90% of the scoring system in game of life. It "ain't" how it should be in the scheme of things, but, for better or worse, it is the way of it.

[RockHard]

My English is bigger than yours.

 

If I understand the idea the poster is trying to convey, I'm fine with that and I can go with the flow.

 

Now, after over 20 years on the internet, I'm almost fine with it, too.

 

Whether you like it or not, languages evolve. This doesn't forgive lazy, blatant abuse. And let's not forget that many academics refuse to get modern. So consensus varies. Personally, I follow "After Deadline," a weekly critique of grammar, usage and style in The New York Times. It was recommended by a famous publisher as a great guide for modern writing.

 

I'm fascinated by the English specialists on this board who clearly struggle with reading comprehension. But then again, personality has nothing to do with a grammar lesson.

 

The bottom line: many men who post here drink alcohol (or smoke pot) while posting. This was established in another thread long ago. Also, the board caters to an international audience. So, to me, it seems really silly, and counter productive, to grade posts on grammar here.

 

I'm sure many escorts enjoy the company of a smart customer. But do they want to be judged by a grammarian? I don't think so. Correct an escort's English to his face and watch his cock go soft.

[jgoo]

 

The bottom line: many men who post here drink alcohol (or smoke pot) while posting. This was established in another thread long ago.

 

I don't recall that thread but I certainly have suspected that some posters have been under the influence. Just like drinking and driving is illegal, it should also be that way for drinking and posting We just need to figure out how to make and install one of those breathalyzers on computers.

[Lookin]

The bottom line: many men who post here drink alcohol (or smoke pot) while posting.

Is there an implied correlation here? Perhaps with a few judgmental undertones? Hmm? http://www.maleescortreview.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif

 

 

For me, it's all about communicating with other folks.

 

When I post, or yak, my goal is to be understood. Using the language as well as I can gets me to that goal, I think. Misspelling or notably poor grammar may cause someone to focus on that, rather than what I'm trying to convey, so taking a bit of extra care in writing and speaking seems worth it to me. Also, making it easier for one's audience (if you'll excuse the grandiosity) seems like a considerate thing to do.

 

When I read, or listen, my goal is to understand. What someone has to say is more important to me than the nuts and bolts of how (s)he says it. It's usually pretty easy to figure out whether someone means 'there' or 'their'. If someone specifically asks me for an opinion on his or her grammar, I'm happy to give it a shot; otherwise, it seems like the polite thing to do is assume it was a temporary oversight and let it go.

 

 

PS: As others have said, I'm in awe of folks like Steven and Juan who speak and write so beautifully in another language. They've doubled or tripled the number of people they can communicate with and that seems incredibly valuable. http://www.maleescortreview.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.png

[whipped guy]

Pedantry

 

The word pedantic has appeared quite often in this thread. For better or worse it has been reaction against the pedants of this world that has resulted in the evolution of civilization… and of course language is not the only aspect of civilization that has been affected. In the musical world alone think how Beethoven angrily reacted against the pedantry of his teacher Haydn… and then constantly grew as an artist throughout his career by virtually reacting against his earlier efforts. The same goes for others such as Wagner, Verdi, and even the lowly Rossini who actually wrote in one of his scores that he used parallel fifths just to irritate the pedants! Could he have done so because the pedantic music librarian at the Naples Conservatory put all of his scores on the uppermost shelves so they could not be easily studied by student composers?

 

Nevertheless, has civilization advanced perfectly? It probably has not, and some may indeed legitimately argue that not all “advancements” have been for the better!

[RockHard]

Clarity.

 

Perhaps with a few judgmental undertones?

 

Not from me. I love the alcohol I drink, and I have fond memories of a young life, dancing through the wafting scent of artisan sensimilla, sold mostly to rock stars. I don't smoke pot anymore but I don't leave the room when someone lights up, either. I have many friends who love their weed, and I continue to enjoy them when they're high. I just don't ask them to write.

 

As I stated in another thread, I learned long ago that I can't write "high." So I don't.

 

When I read, or listen, my goal is to understand.

 

I feel the same way, which is why some posts are difficult to understand when it appears they were written under some altering influence.

[instudiocity]

We just need to figure out how to make and install one of those breathalyzers on computers.

I dunno, jgoo, IF I'm going to have to blow into something just to turn it on, well...

[Phil_musc]

This is one of those "how many angels can dance on the head of a pin" issues to me. Do I notice incorrect use ages, spellings, etc? Probably yes. Have I always caught my mistakes before posting? No. I've cringed when I've gone back and re-read something of mine from a while back when I've inadequately edited. Somehow, I've managed to forgive myself these boo-boos and by extension, I have forgiven those who make their own boo-boos. By further extension, I would hope that the same live and let live philosophy would rule on this matter as far as others go who may subject themselves (for whatever masochistic reason)to reading my long-winded nonsense. As long as I can understand what the poster is posting, I'll just go along and I would hope others would do the same. As for Juan and Steven and the others who write here in a second tongue, my admiration goes to them for their clear communications. I have often wished that I was as fluent in another language as they are.

[bigvalboy]

I dunno, jgoo, IF I'm going to have to blow into something just to turn it on, well...

 

Don't think the rest of the kids got that one...but I for one, thought it to be VERY funny...

[whipped guy]

As for Juan and Steven and the others who write here in a second tongue, my admiration goes to them for their clear communications. I have often wished that I was as fluent in another language as they are.

Ditto...

Ditto...

Another Ditto!

[+ FreshFluff]

The bottom line: many men who post here drink alcohol (or smoke pot) while posting. This was established in another thread long ago. Also, the board caters to an international audience. So, to me, it seems really silly, and counter productive, to grade posts on grammar here.

 

Do you have a link to the thread?

 

Also, remember that some of these issues are due to sloppy editing rather than ignorance of proper grammar. For example, in my thread, I originally meant to write "Anyone want a..." but changed it to "Any NYers want a..." Unfortunately, I forgot to correct the first word. By the time I noticed the error, the edit window had closed.