Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Joe666]

I have no idea why this is bugging me, but I was asked by one of my 5 co-teachers if the phrase "that's alright" is used to agree with someone. It was defined in one of the middle school (grade 2) text books as such, along with a reply to an apology.

I absolutly agree with the reply to an apology, but I have never heard or ever used that term to agree with someone. Anyone?

[cruisemonkey]

I suspect it's because the idiot-stick K who wrote the book doesn't know the difference between all right and alright.

Alright?

[lifeinkorea]

http://www.bartleby.com/64/C003/023.html

[Joe666]

I guess using "all right" is in fact to agree with someone, but it seems not in the true sense. If someone says "all right", they agree to something almost against their will or they "give into" whatever they agreed to.

I just didn't think of it in that way, I think?

Thank you people!

lifeinkorea: http://www.bartleby.com/64/C003/023.html

Nice reference site, I googled that phrase and did not come up with much.

[littlelisa]

That seems alright to me. That's alright with me. I think those would be considered informal but acceptable, yeah?

"Is it OK if I pick apples from your apple tree tomorrow?" "Yeah, that's alright".

I would figure this is only for spoken English or reported speech, and not for written English or anything formal.

[bobbybigfoot]

According to the grammar books, alright is NEVER all right.

It's slang spelling and should be avoided (if you are one to follow the rules).

You could say "f*** the rules" (as many people do) but then the language starts moving in all sorts of directions. An extreme example would be the use of Ebonics which is now spreading throughout the United States and Canada.

Some people argue that language is living and should go where the people take it.

Others argue the value of tradition.

It's the same kind of argument as multiculturalism versus monoculture.

[Joe666]

Susquach - Understand your point. Then what do you do in that and the billion other English language quagmires that could possibly arise? Do you stick to the traditional mode of English? Would you be doing those who are learning the language a disservice by teaching the strict interpretation?