Peter Lairo wrote:
>> 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).
That's what I meant by "if those errors alter the meaning/context of the
text", if the meaning is unclear, or gets misinterpreted by respondents.
> 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. ;)
>
>
