Originally posted by AttilaTheHornWhat is "good English"? If you take a look at the varieties of English spoken around the world as native tongues they pretty much all differ in some way from each other. They spell words differently or have completely different words for different things. If we compare American English to British English we get: Elevator - Lift, Sidewalk - Pavement. They spell it "color". From my point of view that's wrong and it should be "colour".
I must admit that I lament the decline of proper grammar and good English. I'm no expert, but I endeavour to use it correctly. Nevertheless, I occasionally make mistakes, and I appreciate it if this is pointed out. There is no valid why English cannot be used correctly in every day speech. The number of times I hear it mangled every single day sickens me.
I have a Scottish accent. If I phone a call centre in England, half the time they can't understand me but I can understand them. I'm not joking here, it happens. It's frustrating because it usually happens when I'm giving them things like numbers. Am I using "bad" English because I pronounce it a slightly different way?
More importantly, languages change and this change cannot be stopped. "Proper English" didn't exist 600 years ago, it won't exist 600 years from now.
Originally posted by nige22well said. Recd..
What is "good English"? If you take a look at the varieties of English spoken around the world as native tongues they pretty much all differ in some way from each other. They spell words differently or have completely different words for different things. If we compare American English to British English we get: Elevator - Lift, Sidewalk - Pavement. They s ...[text shortened]... "Proper English" didn't exist 600 years ago, it won't exist 600 years from now.
Originally posted by nige22Ug, you guys need to watch My Fair Lady or read Shaw's Pygmallion for a refresher.
What is "good English"? If you take a look at the varieties of English spoken around the world as native tongues they pretty much all differ in some way from each other. They spell words differently or have completely different words for different things. If we compare American English to British English we get: Elevator - Lift, Sidewalk - Pavement. They s ...[text shortened]... "Proper English" didn't exist 600 years ago, it won't exist 600 years from now.
Good English is the language as it should be. One used as a tool for a clear, precise and unambiguous relational contextual understanding of the subject matter at hand.
English hit this height a few centuries ago and has since suffered an erosion of its clarity. One may argue the causes but it's generally from new cultures that don't completely learn the complexities of the language and make mistakes. Over time these mistakes are adopted by the culture and not seen as the mistakes that they are.
The other reason is people are lazy and can't be bothered to speak properly. It becomes some of kind of "cool" way to talk so others adopt this way of speaking in order to be "cool" themselves. It's a spiral into mediocrity from then on.
Watch My Fair Lady....Rex Harrison's performance is worth the your time.
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Originally posted by MissOleumyou are very welcome 😵😵 ... i was looking for ELITE (didn't find anything on that, but found the canon1 site, and this ...)
Friend Zeeblebot, from the bottom of my heart I thank you for leading me to
http://www.gshotts.com/HUMOR/canon1.htm
Return to Paradise ....
😵😵😵😵
http://www.columbia.edu/acis/history/index.html
Originally posted by nige22i met a scottish friend, and her friend visiting from edinburgh, at a local coffee shop once (in california) ... her friend started talking to me in dialect and i could not understand a WORD she said, til she switched ...
What is "good English"? If you take a look at the varieties of English spoken around the world as native tongues they pretty much all differ in some way from each other. They spell words differently or have completely different words for different things. If we compare American English to British English we get: Elevator - Lift, Sidewalk - Pavement. They s ...[text shortened]... "Proper English" didn't exist 600 years ago, it won't exist 600 years from now.
The post that was quoted here has been removedTouchy, touchy CMS.. I was just taking the piss. Congratulations on your accomplishments in acquiring new languages. I am sure that you are one of the most eloquent writers in this thread. Your luminous views are much appreciated... espcecially in the Chess forums.
Originally posted by uzlessAs a native English speaker, I love the art of words and their use in the construction of beautiful prose and poetry. Through much reading I have acquired an extensive vocabulary, which is useful to display my level of intelligence and education when it is appropriate.
The other reason is people are lazy and can't be bothered to speak properly. It becomes some of kind of "cool" way to talk so others adopt this way of speaking in order to be "cool" themselves. It's a spiral into mediocrity from then on.
On the other hand, I wouldn't dream of using that level of language when speaking to someone whose intelligence and education were significantly beneath my own - then I'd use a phrase like "taking the piss" on someone who did so. One adapts one's spoken language to an appropriate level to enable the listener to be comfortable - or from the other point of view, I "talk down" to people I consider not my intellectual equal. I am actually surprised at the poverty of the English I find in this forum from native English speakers, because in my intellectual snobbery I thought chess was only played by the intelligentsia! 😛
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Originally posted by uzlessWhat you've just described is what all language is used for.
Good English is the language as it should be. One used as a tool for a clear, precise and unambiguous relational contextual understanding of the subject matter at hand.
You think that I'm less able to express myself to people who share my dialect than I would be if we all spoke the Queen's English?