Damage!

Anuradha Chepur · Post by **Anuradha Chepur** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:43 pm

The Queen's Hinglish: A dictionary of English compiled by a British teacher.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/6122072.stm

Some native speakers have commented in the article, that they don't mind incorporating new words.

"English, whilst basically a Germanic language, is already a glorious concoction of French, Nordic, Latin, Greek with trace elements of Celtic and much else besides. I see no reason to be other than grateful that we have such a wonderful language and additional Hindi elements will only add to its richness. English is a prime example of Saussure's principle of diachronic change. Long may it be so."
Dr Ian Sedwell, Weymouth

Stephen Jones · Post by **Stephen Jones** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 1:37 pm

A book is only out-of-date to those who no longer find its contents relevant to their needs, Stevie.

Another vapid generalization you patronizing little twerp.

Stephen Jones · Post by **Stephen Jones** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 1:38 pm

The Queen's Hinglish: A dictionary of English compiled by a British teacher.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/6122072.stm

I mentioned the link before; it totally confuses three or four separate phenomena, and quotes Crystal at his worse.

fluffyhamster · Post by **fluffyhamster** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 1:52 pm

Stephen Jones wrote:
A book is only out-of-date to those who no longer find its contents relevant to their needs, Stevie.
Another vapid generalization you patronizing little twerp.

Ouch.

Anuradha Chepur · Post by **Anuradha Chepur** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 2:30 pm

Stephen Jones wrote:
The Queen's Hinglish: A dictionary of English compiled by a British teacher.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/6122072.stm
I mentioned the link before; it totally confuses three or four separate phenomena, and quotes Crystal at his worse.

The comments of non-language-experts (which you find in that article) interest me more than that of language experts.

metal56 · Post by **metal56** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 4:32 pm

Stephen Jones wrote:
A book is only out-of-date to those who no longer find its contents relevant to their needs, Stevie.
Another vapid generalization you patronizing little twerp.

Now, now, Steviekins. Calm down.

Stephen Jones · Post by **Stephen Jones** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 9:40 pm

metal56 · Post by **metal56** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 3:29 pm

Stephen Jones wrote:Why?

You'll have a heart attack or something similar.

Another David chips in:

The writer/broadcaster/researcher/consultant argues that Asian countries will determine the way English is being used globally in industry, commerce and the Internet in the decades ahead.

http://www.hinduonnet.com/2006/03/03/st ... 050500.htm

Stephen Jones · Post by **Stephen Jones** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 9:00 pm

A somewhat more thorough analysis of the study on texting that lolwhites linked to through the BBC.
http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/language ... .html#more
A pilot study revealed that although high levels of texting on mobile phones was linked to lower levels of literacy attainment in a sample of 12 year old children, their use of text abbreviations when messaging was positively associated with their literacy attainment at school. Ongoing research is attempting to understand the nature of the positive association between textism use and literacy attainment. In particular, the question of whether phonological awareness may be implicated in the apparent ability to use text abbreviations will be considered.

lolwhites · Post by **lolwhites** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 10:08 pm

Full marks to Stephen for:

a) bringing the discussion back to the original point, and
b) reminding us (me?) that one should always be aware of news stories that begin "A recent study shows..."; even the good old Beeb can do a hatchet job of reporting academic research.