On 2011-02-23 12:31 , Bob W wrote:
Writing was invented in approximately 4000 BC. Since then people have been able to write to each other quite successfully without needing emoticons, smilies, 'mark-up' and other non-standard orthography.
i say capital letters are markup, along with all punctuation, spacing, and any use of puns or rhyme ;?>
I really don't know why people have suddenly decided to resort to privately-defined systems of non-communication.
as opposed to publicly-defined systems of non-communication? (which is what a lot of business language seems to be)
If you're not writing in your first language then you have to take a bit of extra care and stick to the standard variety& register of the language, avoiding archaic, precious or excessively formal or informal language.
i understand this sentiment, and i agree it's good to take such care in, say, business, but in the broader sphere i don't agree with "have to ... stick to" -- i like the interesting constructions that come from non-native speakers -- they refresh me and give me pause to reflect on my language; for example i listen to/watch Democracy Now! and i admire the fact that they let people say complicated things in heavily accented English without providing any "help"
If you are using your first language then you have to remember that many of your readers are not, so take a bit of extra care and stick to the standard variety& register of the language, avoiding archaic, precious or excessively formal or informal language.
now that's markup! -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
