> I agree as well, however I think it is valid to point out errors
> (politely, and with an explanation) if those errors alter the
> meaning/context of the text (e.g. wrong tense for verbs etc.).
I would even go a little further than that and say that even if the
meaning (grammatically speaking) is incorrect, BUT the meaning (as in
what the author wanted to say) is clear, then there is no need to
correct the author (even politely). Reason: The message was understood,
and this is no language improvement forum.
Ironically (because this time it was the other way around), many Germans
cannot pass up an opportunity to correct even small errors (i live here
and occasionally make small errors; and invariably, someone cannot
resist the urge to correct me - ARGH).
>
> Whilst we are on the subject of language, how do non-native English (or
> should that be non native-English?) speakers feel about their
> mother-tongue being referred to as "foreign", as in "foreign-language
> version of Netscape"?
Since Mozilla (or Netscape) is a (mostly) american product, I don't
think most outside of America mind. The "politically correct" thing is
actually a little frowned on here in Europe because politeness and
occasionally being crass aren't mutually exclusive - it adds to the
spice of life and allows more honesty (directness is a cherished
characteristic here).
> I'm not generally a PC person but to me it seems rude at the very least,
> if not offensive. I try (but don't always remember) to use "non-English"
> rather than "foreign".
>
>> I don't speak any language other than English to any kind of useful level
>> (very bad French, even worse German, and I can just about count to five
>> and say please and thankyou in Italian)
>>
America's geography is the main reason for that - I need to explain that
occasionally around here, since that is something europeans find
difficult to understand (OK, they're iignorant of this fact).
>
>> However, that's my problem, not anyone else's, and I appreciate the
>> efforts of people like Henno to make it possible for me to read their
>> messages.
Well said.
>>
>> <retires to safe distance>
You're a nice, non-confrontational person (at least in this post), I
think you re safe. ;)
--
Regards,
Peter Lairo
