It occurred to me a number of years ago, that if a non-native speaker depends on the written word to help him 'learn' the language, good luck! Unless it's a news organization publication, a predominance of which speak 'correctly' and with consistently, you're VERY likely to be mislead as to the correctness of the language used, and the sentence structure. I keenly observe folks who speak my own native language, and have for some time. Language and how it's spoken really interests me. Along the way, it's been more and more obvious that few 'average citizens' are [either] able to speak or write correctly. That is, in full accordance with all the rules and regs that govern 'proper' and 'currently agreed upon' language construction.
Most of us have our own little quirks and repeat all manner of faults and our expression is not quite correct. Most of us, I'd say. I've written for technical publications and the like, for years, and it's not easy work! Oh, the words flow just fine, if you're on a roll, but the errors in spelling and syntax and myriad other faults creep in, automatically. That's why we use word processors (thank the Gods typewriters are no longer needed!) Get it all down 'on paper' first, correct it later! That's why most of us use spell-checkers, and the same "most of us" make spelling errors constantly, and English is our native language, and we've spoken it all our lives! So, why would we expect others from any other nation to be any more precise in their use of THEIR language? I suspect they aren't! I think they have spell checkers, grammar checkers and thesauruses in most of the rest of the civilized industrial countries, too! I agree with John. We should try as best we can, to present language that is spelled correctly, and insomuch as it's personally possible, speak properly (sentence construction, grammar, etc.) If you do it habitually, it's becomes second nature after a while, and it's not as much a task as it seems at the outset. I also agree with Doug. Go easy on obvious non-native speakers. A lot of them a hard enough time as it is. In the meanwhile, let's not let our own communication skills deteriorate too far. Just plain understanding what everybody else is really trying to say is an ongoing task! Let's not make it harder by being sloppy, uncritical communicators. OKAY, OKAY ~ I'M OFF THE BOX! <g> keith whaley jcoyle wrote: > > Don't demand that from non-English speakers, Doug, I just think that native > English speakers should make the effort: particularly in this forum, which > must be an aid to those who are not in learning/improving their grasp of the > language. > > John Coyle > Brisbane, Australia > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Doug Brewer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Friday, January 24, 2003 12:00 AM > Subject: Re: OT: Obnoxious Sonofabitch Copyeditor > > > There are some usages that I find distracting. However, I consider it far > > more important that the members of the list who do not have a Master's > > level command of the English language, whether because of location of > > birth or insufficient attention, not be discouraged from posting. > > It is nerve-wracking enough to try to communicate in a language with which > > you are not fully comfortable without the added pressure of thinking that the > > readers are more concerned with strict grammar than with what you have to > > say. > > > > The PDML, like the vast majority of electronic communication, is casual. > > It's an ongoing conversation that just happens to be in written form. > > Let's not stifle the flow of ideas and information by demanding something > > we have no right to demand. > > > > Doug > > did time as a writer/editor as well > > > >
