Something smells bad on these forums

[Das_Boot]

Re: Phew, I didn\'t contribute to that one anyway!

I just took a faat and then saw this thread wow modern technology. Hope I didnt upset anyone heavy curry last nite laced with unknown spices and mutton. Savour all.

 

[milltech]

Re: Phew, I didn\'t contribute to that one anyway!

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I despair of the view that, if enough people make a mistake, it becomes acceptable

[/ QUOTE ]

Canute comes to mind. You cannot stem the tide of change, no matter how much you dislike it.


[/ QUOTE ]

Well, I don't know how you get there, but tides do get stemmed; just look at the moral climate between Georgian and Victorian. Standards do not always take the easy path, though I have no idea how you do start to effect that kind of change.

How do you start to put respect and standards back into life without also at the same time allowing right wing religious or moral zealots to take over your campaign, (and in doing so immediately make it look daft).

I don't by-the-way go along with the view that because many people find texting useful that I should accept it in other forms of communication. The limitations in that kind of language are too great, and on the basis that shorthand, after a very long gestation period, hasn't yet replaced this form why should texting?

 

[BrendanS]

Re: Phew, I didn\'t contribute to that one anyway!

[ QUOTE ]
The limitations in that kind of language are too great, and on the basis that shorthand, after a very long gestation period, hasn't yet replaced this form why should texting?

[/ QUOTE ]

shorthand was a 'language' learnt by a very few for expedience. Texting is a 'language' used by just about every teenager in the country. It's very different

 

[milltech]

Re: Phew, I didn\'t contribute to that one anyway!

My point is that it cannot take over from "real language" where nuance and feeling, true understanding if you like, come from a proper use of language and vocabulary.

 

[Lakesailor]

Re: Phew, I didn\'t contribute to that one anyway!

[ QUOTE ]

shorthand was a 'language' learnt by a very few for expedience. Texting is a 'language' used by just about every teenager in the country.

[/ QUOTE ]
The difference is that no-one posts in shorthand and it is fine in it's place, as is "texting" language.

 

[daveyjones]

To be honest I hardly bother to read the name of the person posting, as I am usually so engrossed in the debate! I am aware of some individuals who have made comments which I find repugnant. I wouldn't even mind that, were the remarks backed by some attempt at reason, but someone who simply makes a bald statement without attempting to justify it is a little time-wasting to say the least, so I tend not to engage with those people now. Those who make offensive postings and say things they obviously don't think, merely to excite others, are utterly tedious. Neither do I mind someone calling me an idiot, provided they give reasons! On the whole, I find many thoughtful contributions here, and I think I've learnt quite a lot. I am the sort of person who likes to get into noisy discussions in the pub, damn everyone as a fool, then be best mates two minutes later, probably something to do with my growing up in Liverpool! In terms of making enemies, that's probably inevitable, but I think you have to pay respect to people by telling them what you really think, rather than try to anticipate what will offend. If you hold an opinion contrary to someone else's, then clearly you think you are right and they are wrong, otherwise you wouldn't have that opinion in the first place!

 

[BrendanS]

Re: Phew, I didn\'t contribute to that one anyway!

I think you'll find that texting language as used by just about every teenager in the country is becoming accepted usage. They use it in emails, they use it in written form, and use it on forums and websites. They know 'correct' english too, in the same way that they can use slang or dialect while talking to friends, but can also talk in 'received pronunciation'.

Texting language is here to stay, so expect to see more and more of it in daily life.

EMail is quite interesting. They used to use written letter format a decade or two ago, with Dear Brendan, Yours sincerely etc. Now emails are far less formal on the whole, and people in a business context will often start an email with 'Hi Brendan', and finish with 'Cheers'

 

[michael_99]

Could we please have a re-run of "MIND YOUR LANGUAGE" I really miss that show, as it meant so much to me in my early days here in Australia. Spelling a word wrong is harmless, it is when you start putting words together the fun or damage is done. I just checked my "dickensonry" for the F*** word, and no such word excist, and yet, in my 30 year old danish-english "dickensonry" it says, slang for intercouse, so if you" substitude" sorry already spend too much time trying to get that word correct, f*** with intercouse every time you feel like saying it, you will see just how stupid it all is.
Also, keep in mind not all the people who come here, has an english speaking background. I find myself spending too much time to make sure that a word is correct, or close to it. My biggest nag, is not using comma to break up sentences, to get the true meaning of what is being said.

 

[Lakesailor]

Re: Phew, I didn\'t contribute to that one anyway!

[ QUOTE ]
I think you'll find that texting language as used by just about every teenager in the country is becoming accepted usage. They use it in emails, they use it in written form, and use it on forums and websites. They know 'correct' english too,

[/ QUOTE ]

Now I also use a forum for photographers which has a model (person who models) side to it. The number of the 18 year old air-heads who do not understand normal English phrases and terms is disappointing to say the least.

 

[Thrall]

Re: My sense of smell isn\'t great.

____________________________________________________________
There's many more "letters of thanks for the info" posted on these
pages than gripes.
____________________________________________________________

English is getting so complicated - when does one use a verb in the singular, but the related object in the plural? My well educated mother started this in her eighties quite unconciously and was amazed when i commented. As BrendanS frequently remarks "What you are seeing is the evolution of the English language in action".


Daði

 

[milltech]

Re: Phew, I didn\'t contribute to that one anyway!

Well Brendan, I don't think I ever suggested a route for texting, down or up. What I think is that it cannot replace English as we know it, and returning to the point, English and the spelling of English, at it should be used on the Forum.

 

[milltech]

Well understanding and being understanding are both important. So far as I am concerned anyone whose natural language is not English can make all the mistakes they want, I'm pleased they are here, and too many times they put us to shame, being able to express themselves better in our own language than we can ourselves.

My complaints here are about English men and women who have been through our school system and yet seem unable to handle even the most basic and rudimentary rules on spelling and grammar.

 

[boatmike]

I have to say I totally agree with you Bob, and the rest of the thread seems to reinforce your point. This has become a place for mindless argument by brainless people who have very little common decency and few manners. A reflection of the deterioration in behaviour in British so called "culture" generally I am afraid, so I think I will probably join you. Poor old Kim tried to get rid of them to "the lounge" but they don't even enjoy one anothers company in there so they have re-invaded PBO and Scuttlebutt.... Shame..... But there we are. I'm off sailing now that the boat is afloat anyway. If any of the older more moderate and polite forumites see PEREGRINE nearby pop on for a beer. For the argumentitive new age aggressive rude rest of you .....Please don't bother!

 

[Das_Boot]

A wonderfull read is the Portugese guy who wrote a Portugese tutorial on English but did it using a French English dictionary and then translating from French to Portugese. The title was ENGLISH AS SHE IS SPOKE. Another direct translation by a friend of mine was MY ENGLISH IS VERY DELICIOUS meaning he spoke English well.

 

[milltech]

Mike I must confess to being surprised by your post. Although I accept that Kim would have anticipated this post would go into "The Lounge", it's subject matter was specifically "Scuttlebutt", which would legitimise is location here.

I have read all the messages, and responded to fair few, and throughout it all I have not been able to find a single paragraph of "mindless argument by brainless people", personally I have found it enjoyable and I have not the slightest doubt that I would have fun following it up with any and all the contributors were we to meet in a pub, without anyone feeling hard done by. Nor have I found here any lack of decency or manners, perhaps you would show me where?

Or perhaps you're just winding me up and I've risen to your bait, it's possible!

 

[Peppermint]

Re: True

I have no idea. I wasn't taught english very well. I'd hazard a guess that written english is getting closer to spoken english and that it's likely to be the fastest evolving language in the world.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Re: True

I think you'll find that its American English that is the fastest evolving...... but maybe they're one and the same the same thing /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[boatmike]

Perhaps if you go back to Bob's original point rather than the "rambling on" about the English language which the thread developed into, you will see what I mean. He gave a very good example of an innocent question on PBO asked by a new poster, being dealt with very badly by people with very little tact or manners. I support his point and bemoan the lack of good manners everywhere, not just on this forum. I don't think anyone has taken his point seriously and recognised that one by one people are deserting this and the PBO forum as a place to discuss practical issues about our passtime. I do not believe the decline in educational standards and miss-use of the English language is the point here. Not all forumites are English anyway. The point is how we treat one another, which in my book is still the difference between a gentleman and a lout. There are still gentlemen around but the louts appear to to be taking over not only on the street but here too. The lowest common denominator rules as always. Any serious post quickly develops into a slanging match or wanders away from the original point as this one has.
"Evil triumphs when good men do nothing"
Answer these simple questions for me if you don't agree.
Why do the jokesters and not boaty forumites object to being "confined" to the lounge? Why do they feel that Scuttlebutt should be invaded by non-boaty, often confrontational rubbish? Even PBO now is not confined to practical questions and when a new poster asks a practical question (which I believe is what the forum is for) he is faced with all this nonsense.
Kim recognised the problem. Good for him. He tried introducing a place for all the nonsense posters but they don't like it and have re-invaded scuttlebutt. That's a shame in my view and I shall confine my posts in future to asking and answering practical questions as well as I am able when I can and avoiding the rest.

 

[Lakesailor]

[ QUOTE ]

"Evil triumphs when good men do nothing"


[/ QUOTE ]

I'm a good man, I'm not evil. But I enjoy the banter and the serious questions alike.
You obviously think yourself a good man, but regard the less than serious nature of some threads as a threat.
I get the feeling you regard those of us who like a more rounded view of the world as somehow lower than yourself with your talk of "lowest common denominator" and "dragged down".
It must be very wearing being so sensitive to our failings.

 

[Clive_Rigden]

My - what a busy week-end you've all been having!
I spent half of yesterday arranging mooring lines for my new piles mooring. Didn't realise what I was missing here!
In general though, a good point, if somewhat over emphasized.
Enjoy your extended cruising, Bob - that's what it's all about! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif