Get Involved... Let Them Know - Page 2

DanaC · 10-09-2007, 10:56 AM

*grins*

I agree on the usages you just listed for impact.

The "fewer" versus "less" issue, however, I take slight issue with . "Fewer" is the correct Standard English usage; however, many dialects of English have very low usage of that word and if someone has been raised with "less" as the appropriate word, then I have no problem with that. Standard English is just the dialect that won out as the most desirable and 'correct' version of the language. The dialect of the most powerful (politically and economically) region of England at the point where language was standardised has become the most 'correct' version of English.

ZenGum · 10-09-2007, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanaC

*grins*

I agree on the usages you just listed for impact.

The "fewer" versus "less" issue, however, I take slight issue with . "Fewer" is the correct Standard English usage; however, many dialects of English have very low usage of that word and if someone has been raised with "less" as the appropriate word, then I have no problem with that. Standard English is just the dialect that won out as the most desirable and 'correct' version of the language. The dialect of the most powerful (politically and economically) region of England at the point where language was standardised has become the most 'correct' version of English.

Well, I'm not really too fussed about less/fewer, although I do think professional signwriters ought to make the effort. Now, about apostrophe's with plural's ...

I will, however, end a sentence a preposition with. And I am happy to boldly split an infinitive that no-one has split before. These rules were introduced to make English resemble Latin in it's grammatical structure and both cause people like Yoda to talk, hmmmmhmm, and are instruments of snobbery and class warfare.

I reserve the right to pick and choose ... no matter how inconsistent I may seem. So long as I am consistent in my various inconsistencies, I do not see a problem.

xoxoxoBruce · 10-09-2007, 08:20 PM

Mayhaps, lettering twenty-teen million damn signs would lessen your objecting.

ZenGum · 10-10-2007, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Mayhaps, lettering twenty-teen million damn signs would lessen your objecting.

In sooth, wouldst not such repetitious practice refine their artistry?

It's not like they are cutting corners by leaving something out. They are adding an apostrophe which isn't needed.

Now plural possessives are another thing. There is a sign "Reader's Room" which should be "Readers' Room". A minute error .. but the sign is in the National Library of Australia!

RK, sorry for hijacking your thread!

glatt · 10-10-2007, 10:00 AM

A sign maker will make the sign the customer requests. Mistakes and all.

xoxoxoBruce · 10-10-2007, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenGum

Now plural possessives are another thing. There is a sign "Reader's Room" which should be "Readers' Room". A minute error .. but the sign is in the National Library of Australia!

How would one differentiate between a room for a reader, and a room for multiple readers?

10-11-2007, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenGum

In sooth, wouldst not such repetitious practice refine their artistry?

It's not like they are cutting corners by leaving something out. They are adding an apostrophe which isn't needed.

Now plural possessives are another thing. There is a sign "Reader's Room" which should be "Readers' Room". A minute error .. but the sign is in the National Library of Australia!

RK, sorry for hijacking your thread!

Honestly, as long as someone is reading this one, I'm happy.

Urbane Guerrilla · 10-10-2007, 12:35 PM

Indeed, English speech requires inconstancy in idiom, there being no Academie Anglaise.

Misplaced, misused tadpoles -- these are things up with which we shall not put. And we can see an instance of this done unintentionally above: possessive nouns take the apostrophe, but possessive pronouns do not to escape confusion between possessives and contractions. Some possessive pronouns haven't even a chance to acquire an improper apostrophe -- they/their, et cetera.

The difference of meaning between shall and will is not, I think, as observed in American English as in British. However, I observe it carefully, liking the precision. It's also why I use further more seldom than farther. Likewise ensure v. insure.

Come to read it again, Zen, I think I'm going to have to brief you on the usage of the Second Person (Ancient). "Wouldst?" There? I'm throwing the yellow card!

ZenGum · 10-10-2007, 01:00 PM

I need a hari kari Smiley

Urbane Guerrilla · 10-11-2007, 09:43 PM

Thread drift -- it's not just on planet Pern any more...

ZenGum · 10-12-2007, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urbane Guerrilla

Thread drift -- it's not just on planet Pern any more...

Wasn't that thread fall?

(wracks brains ... Anne McCafferty? Red Sun Rising??)

Pass me my dragon, would you?

10-12-2007, 04:51 PM

It was a hijack.

Urbane Guerrilla · 10-13-2007, 12:52 AM

I think they also took to talking of drift... meaning Threadfall somewhere funny. They were supposed to be pretty good at predicting Thread locations. There are upwards of a double handful of books in the Pern series to look in.

McCaffrey did write Dragonsinger and Dragondrums, but never got to a Dragonbass or Dragonlead.

ZenGum · 10-13-2007, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urbane Guerrilla

McCaffrey did write Dragonsinger and Dragondrums, but never got to a Dragonbass or Dragonlead.

McCaffrey!

McCafferty's is a #$%&ing bus company! Duuuhhhhh.

New thread maybe? Books with "Dragon" in the title, no googling... worth the effort?

Urbane Guerrilla · 10-14-2007, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urbane Guerrilla

McCaffrey did write Dragonsinger and Dragondrums, but never got to a Dragonbass or Dragonlead.

Ouch, oh dear, something just occurred to me: the archive for online fanfic porno stories about dragonriders would have to be called... Dragonass. And it would all be set in Under Weyr.

So who wants to be the first to get all nitty gritty about Lessa's titties?

10-10-2007, 12:35 PM	#8
Urbane Guerrilla Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,674	Indeed, English speech requires inconstancy in idiom, there being no Academie Anglaise. Misplaced, misused tadpoles -- these are things up with which we shall not put. And we can see an instance of this done unintentionally above: possessive nouns take the apostrophe, but possessive pronouns do not to escape confusion between possessives and contractions. Some possessive pronouns haven't even a chance to acquire an improper apostrophe -- they/their, et cetera. The difference of meaning between shall and will is not, I think, as observed in American English as in British. However, I observe it carefully, liking the precision. It's also why I use further more seldom than farther. Likewise ensure v. insure. Come to read it again, Zen, I think I'm going to have to brief you on the usage of the Second Person (Ancient). "Wouldst?" There? I'm throwing the yellow card! __________________ Wanna stop school shootings? End Gun-Free Zones, of course. Last edited by Urbane Guerrilla; 10-10-2007 at 12:40 PM.

10-09-2007, 10:56 AM	#1
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	grins I agree on the usages you just listed for impact. The "fewer" versus "less" issue, however, I take slight issue with . "Fewer" is the correct Standard English usage; however, many dialects of English have very low usage of that word and if someone has been raised with "less" as the appropriate word, then I have no problem with that. Standard English is just the dialect that won out as the most desirable and 'correct' version of the language. The dialect of the most powerful (politically and economically) region of England at the point where language was standardised has become the most 'correct' version of English.

10-09-2007, 08:20 PM	#3
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Mayhaps, lettering twenty-teen million damn signs would lessen your objecting.

10-10-2007, 10:00 AM	#5
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	A sign maker will make the sign the customer requests. Mistakes and all.

10-10-2007, 01:00 PM	#9
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	I need a hari kari Smiley

10-11-2007, 09:43 PM	#10
Urbane Guerrilla Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,674	Thread drift -- it's not just on planet Pern any more...

10-12-2007, 04:51 PM	#12
rkzenrage Guest Posts: n/a	It was a hijack.

10-13-2007, 12:52 AM	#13
Urbane Guerrilla Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,674	I think they also took to talking of drift... meaning Threadfall somewhere funny. They were supposed to be pretty good at predicting Thread locations. There are upwards of a double handful of books in the Pern series to look in. McCaffrey did write Dragonsinger and Dragondrums, but never got to a Dragonbass or Dragonlead.

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