Words in the wrong context

Aliantha · 08-05-2008, 06:25 PM

I guess we all notice things about how others communicate with us, but one thing that bugs me is when people use the wrong word in place of the right word.

As an example, and one of the situations that really bugs me, is when people use the word 'then' instead of 'than'. eg. 'I'd rather go to bed then watch tv', instead of, 'I'd rather go to bed than watch tv'.

Another one is when people say 'axe' instead of 'ask'.

I think my main objection to it is from a traditional stance in that the english language is bastardized more than enough through slang and local nuances. Do we really have to make it worse by using the completely wrong word? Isn't it possible to learn at least the basics?

lookout123 · 08-05-2008, 07:10 PM

I argument with that.

Aliantha · 08-05-2008, 07:12 PM

of course

ZenGum · 08-05-2008, 08:06 PM

It's spelled "aks", Ali. As in, "didja aks her out?"

Aliantha · 08-05-2008, 08:13 PM

Oh yeah...silly me. I should have realized you don't type a real word when you're describing someone else's pronunciation errors.

HungLikeJesus · 08-05-2008, 08:22 PM

You mean, like people who say 'boot' when they mean 'trunk'?

Aliantha · 08-05-2008, 08:23 PM

or trunk when they mean boot even...

Aliantha · 08-05-2008, 08:26 PM

To be honest though, that's not really what I meant. I think you know that though right HLJ?

ZenGum · 08-05-2008, 08:30 PM

Don't misunderestimate yourself.

And youse guy's are really great.

I'm sure I could of thunk up more examples.

On this topic, I have been thinking about ZippyT's ... how can I put this ... unconventional approach to spelling. At first I dismissed this as the struggles of someone whose literacy level was sorely lacking (my apologies for this Zippy!) but I've been wondering, provided that there is a large enough group that take the same apporach, use the same spellings, etc, could we say Zippy is writing - CORRECTLY - in a dialect of English different from, eg, mine?

At what point does a local peculiarity become a legitimate regional dialect? And when or how does this become dominant?
For example, of course the correct spelling of words like colour and flavour involve the letter "u" (

) but our American friends had to save ink (something about rationing during the war of independence, I think) and left the "u" out, to the point that this is now the (statistically) prevalent form. How many people need to agree on a non-standard usage or spelling for it to become an "accepted" variant? And then the "standard" form?

Aliantha · 08-05-2008, 08:37 PM

What you suggest is true and obviously how languages evolve. Of course, english in all it's forms originated from german language, so perhaps the German people should be complaining about how we've destroyed their language.

I think my argument just stems from irritation at hearing words pronounced or used in the wrong way. No great philosophy about it. Just a basic human emotion.

HungLikeJesus · 08-05-2008, 08:45 PM

Ali - yes, I'm just kidding you

ZG - I agree about 'could of'

This is a little different, but the phrase 'try and ___' drives me nuts, and I see it all the time. It should be 'try to ___.' For example, "I'll try and call before I leave." Now that I've mentioned it, maybe it will bug you too.

ZenGum · 08-05-2008, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aliantha

english in all it's forms

[snicker]

[/anal]

Sorry, Ali, love you really.

HungLikeJesus · 08-05-2008, 08:48 PM

Are you ripping on the lower-case 'e' or the apostrophe?

Aliantha · 08-05-2008, 08:49 PM

I know you do Zen.

Now you're getting HLJ.

ZenGum · 08-05-2008, 08:49 PM

Both - the bold is a bit hard to see.

"try and ..." ugghhh.

08-05-2008, 06:25 PM	#1
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Words in the wrong context I guess we all notice things about how others communicate with us, but one thing that bugs me is when people use the wrong word in place of the right word. As an example, and one of the situations that really bugs me, is when people use the word 'then' instead of 'than'. eg. 'I'd rather go to bed then watch tv', instead of, 'I'd rather go to bed than watch tv'. Another one is when people say 'axe' instead of 'ask'. I think my main objection to it is from a traditional stance in that the english language is bastardized more than enough through slang and local nuances. Do we really have to make it worse by using the completely wrong word? Isn't it possible to learn at least the basics? __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

08-05-2008, 07:10 PM	#2
lookout123 changed his status to single Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Right behind you. No, the other side. Posts: 10,308	I argument with that. __________________ Getting knocked down is no sin, it's not getting back up that's the sin

08-05-2008, 07:12 PM	#3
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	of course __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

08-05-2008, 08:06 PM	#4
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	It's spelled "aks", Ali. As in, "didja aks her out?" __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

08-05-2008, 08:13 PM	#5
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Oh yeah...silly me. I should have realized you don't type a real word when you're describing someone else's pronunciation errors. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

08-05-2008, 08:22 PM	#6
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	You mean, like people who say 'boot' when they mean 'trunk'? __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

08-05-2008, 08:23 PM	#7
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	or trunk when they mean boot even... __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

08-05-2008, 08:26 PM	#8
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	To be honest though, that's not really what I meant. I think you know that though right HLJ? __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

08-05-2008, 08:30 PM	#9
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	Don't misunderestimate yourself. And youse guy's are really great. I'm sure I could of thunk up more examples. On this topic, I have been thinking about ZippyT's ... how can I put this ... unconventional approach to spelling. At first I dismissed this as the struggles of someone whose literacy level was sorely lacking (my apologies for this Zippy!) but I've been wondering, provided that there is a large enough group that take the same apporach, use the same spellings, etc, could we say Zippy is writing - CORRECTLY - in a dialect of English different from, eg, mine? At what point does a local peculiarity become a legitimate regional dialect? And when or how does this become dominant? For example, of course the correct spelling of words like colour and flavour involve the letter "u" ( ) but our American friends had to save ink (something about rationing during the war of independence, I think) and left the "u" out, to the point that this is now the (statistically) prevalent form. How many people need to agree on a non-standard usage or spelling for it to become an "accepted" variant? And then the "standard" form? __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

08-05-2008, 08:37 PM	#10
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	What you suggest is true and obviously how languages evolve. Of course, english in all it's forms originated from german language, so perhaps the German people should be complaining about how we've destroyed their language. I think my argument just stems from irritation at hearing words pronounced or used in the wrong way. No great philosophy about it. Just a basic human emotion. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

08-05-2008, 08:45 PM	#11
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	Ali - yes, I'm just kidding you ZG - I agree about 'could of' This is a little different, but the phrase 'try and ___' drives me nuts, and I see it all the time. It should be 'try to ___.' For example, "I'll try and call before I leave." Now that I've mentioned it, maybe it will bug you too. __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

08-05-2008, 08:48 PM	#13
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	Are you ripping on the lower-case 'e' or the apostrophe? __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

08-05-2008, 08:49 PM	#14
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	I know you do Zen. Now you're getting HLJ. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

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