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Old 08-05-2008, 06:25 PM   #1
Aliantha
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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?
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Old 08-05-2008, 07:10 PM   #2
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I argument with that.
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Old 08-05-2008, 07:12 PM   #3
Aliantha
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of course
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Old 08-05-2008, 08:06 PM   #4
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It's spelled "aks", Ali. As in, "didja aks her out?"
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Old 08-05-2008, 08:13 PM   #5
Aliantha
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Oh yeah...silly me. I should have realized you don't type a real word when you're describing someone else's pronunciation errors.
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Old 08-05-2008, 08:22 PM   #6
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You mean, like people who say 'boot' when they mean 'trunk'?
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Old 08-05-2008, 08:23 PM   #7
Aliantha
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or trunk when they mean boot even...
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Old 08-05-2008, 08:26 PM   #8
Aliantha
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To be honest though, that's not really what I meant. I think you know that though right HLJ?
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Old 08-05-2008, 08:30 PM   #9
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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?
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Old 08-05-2008, 08:37 PM   #10
Aliantha
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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.
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Old 08-05-2008, 08:45 PM   #11
HungLikeJesus
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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.
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Old 08-05-2008, 08:46 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aliantha View Post
english in all it's forms
[snicker]

[/anal]



Sorry, Ali, love you really.
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Old 08-05-2008, 08:48 PM   #13
HungLikeJesus
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Are you ripping on the lower-case 'e' or the apostrophe?
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Old 08-05-2008, 08:49 PM   #14
Aliantha
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I know you do Zen.

Now you're getting HLJ.
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Old 08-05-2008, 08:49 PM   #15
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Both - the bold is a bit hard to see.

"try and ..." ugghhh.
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