Job Discussion Forums

Capt Lugwash · Joined: 14 Aug 2014 Posts: 346

Seriously I don't. The only time I do these days is when there is a thunderstorm (90% of the time we end up with a three hour power cut) or when travelling.

My interests have altered over the years and now focus more on scouring news websites.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

You have stopped reading ? Reaction has won.

Capt Lugwash · Joined: 14 Aug 2014 Posts: 346

Where did I say I have stopped reading?

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 8:32 pm Post subject:

It was implicit when you said you didn't have time to read. Apart from news websites, though I'm not sure if that is the same thing as reading novels...

Capt Lugwash · Joined: 14 Aug 2014 Posts: 346

Reading novels, reading news websites - where is no reading involved? Sorry excuse me but is this a site for teachers of English?

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 8:52 pm Post subject:

Many types of reading. Reading a menu; reading a phone book; reading the form for the gee gees. Scanning, skimming, reading for inferences, extensive reading, intensive reading. Teachers know these things. Though some others might depend on classroom assistants.

Reading improving novels is significantly different from the above.

Capt Lugwash · Joined: 14 Aug 2014 Posts: 346

Is an improving novel one that gets better over time?

I actually said " The only time I do these days is when there is a thunderstorm (90% of the time we end up with a three hour power cut) or when travelling." Of course you just happened to miss that.

Which is at odds with what you are suggesting.

You see, as an unqualified and eminently unsuitable teacher I don't see myself as being off duty the moment my class has finished. It may be seen by some as bizarre behaviour but I like to keep myself available out of hours for my students when they need help or when they simply just want to practise their English. For that I make no apology but it does mean that with my other interests it leaves little or no time for recreational reading.

The comment regarding classroom assistants (coming hot on the heels of the reliance on local teachers remark) is risible given my location. Perhaps you don't know everything after all.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 8:35 am Post subject:

Yes, Scot, reaction seems to have the upper hand here...

johnslat · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 1:21 pm Post subject:

Dear Capt Lugwash.

"Is an improving novel one that gets better over time? "

Do swimming pools do the back-stroke? Do drinking glasses enjoy vodka?

What sort of books do reading glasses prefer? Very Happy

Inquiring minds want to know.

Regards,
John

Capt Lugwash · Joined: 14 Aug 2014 Posts: 346

Enquire all you want but your post is (to me at least) nonsense.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 3:14 pm Post subject:

But not to me, at least. I love it when John does things like transferring his epithets.

Hypallage. There's a dim and distant word floating up the memory banks from my halcyon university days....

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Can I ask which end of the Bell Curve you are located on ?

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 3:18 pm Post subject:

Asking me, or Capt?

johnslat · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 4:36 pm Post subject:

Hurrah - I learned a new word:

"Definition of HYPALLAGE
: an interchange of two elements in a phrase or sentence from a more logical to a less logical relationship (as in “a mind is a terrible thing to waste” for “to waste a mind is a terrible thing”)
Origin of HYPALLAGE
Latin, from Greek hypallagē, literally, interchange, from hypallassein to interchange, from hypo- + allassein to change, from allos other — more at else
First Known Use: 1586"

However, I prefer my alteration of this United Negro College Fund (UNCF) slogan:

"A mind is a terrible thing to waste."

to a slogan for health clubs:

"A waist is a terrible thing to mind."

Very Happy

Regards,
John

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 5:05 pm Post subject:

Dear Johnslat

And you didn't need to go to uni for that, imagine. Just scouring this forum was enough. So, why waist tyme with book-learning?

With Communist greetings

Sasha