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 > >
