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grahamb · Joined: 30 Apr 2003 Posts: 1945

How about using the � in "Se�or" before arguing about the abbreviation of mathematics? The � is an important letter, after all. There's a big difference between "a�o" and "ano"!!!

Atlas · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 662 Location: By-the-Sea PRC

Capergirl · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 5:14 pm Post subject:

Senor, are you serious? Perhaps you could tell us where you think the English language originated. I find it awfully presumptuous for an American to say that the English (read: from England) form of a word is not correct. Rolling Eyes

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

donfan wrote:
ignoramus americano

SHHH! Be very quiet and alert. The feared Pompous Commonwealthicus is again on the hunt, sniffing out its prey: Ignoramus Americano (I.A.).
Fierce and ruthless, the Pompous Commonwealthicus will devour all I.A.'s it can track down. Shiver as this beast of pomposity prowls stealthily in the underbrush, licking the air to find its next victim!
AHA! A misspelt word! Pounce, brilliant, infallible creture! Wreak havoc on the vile I.A.! Slash the worthless papers (from its pitiful universities) of this idiotic creature. For the Ignoramus Americanos is the same monster that refuses to use the perfect tenses with vigor!
Defend the honor of the Commonwealth! AHA, that creature just spelled "gaol" with a "j" and an "i". SMITE them!
What drives this Pompous Commonwealthicus? Is it an inferiority complex? Perhaps. Alas! We do not want to open that Pandora's Box, do we? The reprecussions of questioning the methods of this omniscient being are too great.

Oh, NO! I spelt "vigor" and "honor" without a "u"! I am destined to feel the brunt of their power. Wait. I have heard if you say it three times, you can ward off their fury:

The Queen's English is the only proper (drop the 'r') way to communicate.
The Queen's English is the only proper (drop the 'r') way to communicate.
The Queen's English is the only proper (drop the 'r') way to communicate.

khmerhit · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 7:05 pm Post subject:

Good one. Have you a photo of this fabled beast?

Capergirl · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 7:27 pm Post subject:

@jpvanderwerf2001...You've either got way too much time on your hands or you've imbibed a little too much today. Laughing

What's with the Americans vs. (insert nationality) trend on these threads? Ignorance is universal, folks. No one has cornered the market on it.

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

Capergirl.

I have no qualm against any other nationality (If I had, I would be in the wrong business). Please re-read the responses to Senor on the first page, and you will see to what specific creature I was referring.

You are correct, however: I do have a lot of extra time. Yet, this is only my 15th (?) post, so I must spend my spare hours differently than others on the forum (directed at no one in particular).

And yes, I'm completely snockered. Embarassed

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

Atlas suggests that if Mr B-W were told that "Maths" is correct in British English, he would say "Oh" and accept it. I have two alternative hypotheses: 1) He's deliberately trying to get a reaction; 2) He's ignorant and if he needs to be told, he shouldn't be a teacher of English. Wherever we come from, we have a duty to our students to teach them the broadest possible English: formal, informal; grammatical, natural; British, American (and others). If we can't take that on board, we shouldn't be in this profession.

grahamb · Joined: 30 Apr 2003 Posts: 1945

Actually, we don't have qualms about nationalities; we have qualms (or not) about actions.
I agree with FGT, who said "Wherever we come from, we have a duty to our students to teach them the broadest possible English: formal, informal; grammatical, natural; British, American (and others). If we can't take that on board, we shouldn't be in this profession."
As Capergirl says, no-one has a monopoly of ignorance. I'm often guilty of laughing at those stoopid white men, but then I remember that it was the British who elected "President" Blair. People who live in glass houses...[/quote]

SueH · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy

Maybe some of the reactions have been a bit OTT, but what struck me about the original statement was it's confident dogmatism.

When I make an original post, as opposed to the subsequent banter, I tend to make sure of any facts I'm laying down. I'd certainly check on the spelling of mathematics.

I tend to be generous and assume that peoples' usages are perfectly acceptable where they come from. For example, over the months I've noted many instances of 'advise' as a noun - can any one enlighten me as to whether this is acceptable usage anywhere?

johnslat · Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 6:27 pm Post subject: I'd advise against it

Dear SueH,
At the risk of sounding dogmatic, I'd say that, rather than being "acceptable" anywhere, that's a fairly common mistake - using the verb form "advise" for the noun "advice". And it's a mistake that "native speakers" make rather often, though not with the frequency that my students in Riyadh used to.
Regards,
John

Atlas · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 662 Location: By-the-Sea PRC

One I find is randomly switching back and forth between "noise" and "noisy", even after drilling! (Usually, my Chinese students just use "noisy" as both noun and adjective).

I'd love to hear more examples if anyone's got them!

I have ever wanted to discuss some of these common discrepancies.

johnslat · Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 6:52 pm Post subject: Evermore

Dear Atlas,
Here's a web site with a rather extensive list of some common ones:

http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/errors.html

By the way, I assume your common error

"I have ever wanted to discuss some of these common discrepancies."

was meant ironically.

Regards,
John

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589