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Cloud · 02-20-2007, 06:51 PM

I like your post Happy Monkey!

This gets into the whole issue of evolving language, dialect, and "proper" usage, which can be a very, very hot topic. Witness the acrimonious debates over the usage of Jive or Black Vernacular, or text message speak in schools. Or the microdebate with my friends over the use of "gauge" as a verb to stretch piercings ("Gauge is not a verb!" they cry).

I personally take a moderate stance on most things. Language does evolve, English faster and more richly than most, both historically and currently. As the piece from Mark Twain highlights, rapid and extreme changes can make such a complex language difficult to understand. A common sense approach toward evolving forms, without taking it to extremes, is best in my view.

Goodnite.

02-20-2007, 06:51 PM	#6
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	I like your post Happy Monkey! This gets into the whole issue of evolving language, dialect, and "proper" usage, which can be a very, very hot topic. Witness the acrimonious debates over the usage of Jive or Black Vernacular, or text message speak in schools. Or the microdebate with my friends over the use of "gauge" as a verb to stretch piercings ("Gauge is not a verb!" they cry). I personally take a moderate stance on most things. Language does evolve, English faster and more richly than most, both historically and currently. As the piece from Mark Twain highlights, rapid and extreme changes can make such a complex language difficult to understand. A common sense approach toward evolving forms, without taking it to extremes, is best in my view. Goodnite. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"