Jostein,
Your comments remind me of when I was at university in 1961. I had as a
room mate a Norwegian. Through Wiggo, I met several others. I was astounded
with their command and usage of the English language! Later, I found out
that it was taught from and early age.
Regards,
Bob
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jostein" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> John,
> Your examples really make me smile. We see the same process going on in
> Norwegian language. Eg., just before a recent journalists' strike there
was
> a first page headline reading "two more papers on strike monday".
>
> The journalists bargained for higher salaries and six weeks holidays per
> year. Average salary today is ca. 400.000 NOK => ca.57000 USD. One might
> wonder if they're worth what they get today...
>
> And just to throw in my two cents worth on the _topic_ here; English is a
> remarkable language in that has a low learning threshold before you can
> communicate. At the same time, the threshold for mastering the language is
> pretty high. I've had some serious reminders to the fact this summer
(humble
> thanks to Dan Maytola, Cotty et. al. and PDMLUK).
>
> Sarchasm and irony demands of the recipient a thorough knowledge of the
> language it is issued in. It would be a nice gesture to include a smiley
for
> the sake of all of us not having English as first language.
>
> Best,
> Jostein
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "John Coyle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Sunday, September 01, 2002 10:01 AM
> Subject: RE: Written Communications (was Albano desperate test)
>
>
> > Peter:
> > Speling?
> >
> > How about such fatuous use of the language as:
> >
> > Commonly in Australian newspapers, when postage rates are increased -
> > "The price of a 40c stamp will increase tomorrow to 45c". No it won't!
> > The cost of posting a standard letter will increase, but a 40c stamp
> > will still cost 40c.
> >
> > In the national broadcaster's weather bulletins, reference to "warmer"
> > or "cooler" temperatures: a temperature is a measure of heat, it has no
> > heat of it's own!
> >
> > On a pub sign outside Gladstone, Australia - "Duke box"
> >
> > "Subsequently" used instead of "consequently" - half accurate, since
> > the consequent event must be subsequent to the trigger event! But
> > still not what the writer intended to say.
> >
> > By sports commentators - "topscored", "silvermedalled", and
> > "goldmedalled" as verbs, third person transitive case.
> >
> > And there are many, many more...
> >
> > John Coyle
> > Brisbane, Australia
> >
> >
> > On Sunday, September 01, 2002 4:27 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] wrote:
> > > <<I've been disgusted with the
> > > bulk of the US press for years for their borderline illiteracy,
> > > thoroughgoing innumeracy, and ill acquaintance with logic. And
> > > they're
> > > the "professionals".>>
> > >
> > > I echo this sentiment. I suppose it comes from a grammar school
> > > education and being picky about speling.
> > > I am frequently offended particularly in the public domain. Shop
> > signs
> > > : videos's, box's - get my goat up. These folks just don't know any
> > > better. But newspapers and online news services? What are they
> > > teaching our kids? Where are these "writers" recruited from? Fair
> > > makes my blood boil, it does. Grrrrr!
> > > Rant over.
> > >
> > > BTW, I do realise that some of my written grammar is not technically
> > > perfect (ending sentences in "from?"; however I follow conventions
> > > and believe that spelling and use of the correct words are building
> > > blocks.
> > >
> > > Peter
> >
> >
>
