Thread: Another Language Virus

It seems to me that if you go anywhere in the world you will find that the language changes from one area of the country to the other. In England (supposedly the origin of the English language) depending what area your from they speak differently. S Spain I noticed when I was there the words sounded differently. I ask my host (I can't speak S Spanish) and she explained it was common and it really didn't matter because they understood each other. Here in the USA well we have the northerners, southerners, easterners and the westerners. Each speaks the English language just a little different but we understand each other or at least we try. So as long as we all "GET ALONG" what difference does it make. For me I'm kind of country and live in the hills of Tennessee. so I speak fluent Hill Billy.

There has been a global decline in the use of "proper" language.
I work at a university and during a typical week I will interact with students from six or more different countries. The foreign students typically speak and write in proper English, but the writing and speaking of their native tongue is less than proper. I accept the fact that when dealing with a foreign language I may not understand every word exactly and have to get the gist of what is being said, but sometimes due to "improper language" skills on their part I have no clue what they are talking about. Babelfish and google translate often cannot translate their "improper language" either.

I apparently suffer from the same problem. I have been told on several occasions that my Spanish and Italian is spoken more proper than my English. As Leatherstockigns indicated, that is probably caused by lack of exposure to foreign slang and too much exposure to English slang.

As for our American students and their misuse of the English language, I find it appalling. I know my use of English isn't always correct, but I should be able to understand an email written from another American. Sometimes that is not the case and I have to "translate" their English. It really makes me sad if I realize that it is an education major that has sent an incomprehensible message. The future for the proper English language as I know it does not look so bright.

Originally Posted by criswilson10

I have been told on several occasions that my Spanish and Italian is spoken more proper than my English.

More PROPERLY.

I promise that I will stop now!

Originally Posted by rhensley

It seems to me that if you go anywhere in the world you will find that the language changes from one area of the country to the other. In England (supposedly the origin of the English language) depending what area your from they speak differently. S Spain I noticed when I was there the words sounded differently. I ask my host (I can't speak S Spanish) and she explained it was common and it really didn't matter because they understood each other. Here in the USA well we have the northerners, southerners, easterners and the westerners. Each speaks the English language just a little different but we understand each other or at least we try. So as long as we all "GET ALONG" what difference does it make. For me I'm kind of country and live in the hills of Tennessee. so I speak fluent Hill Billy.

Roger that...I'm not railing against regional, or cultural differences. I like them. I'm railing against gross negligence.

There are worse offenses like using "that" all the time.

I learned my rules of grammar when I learned Spanish in H.S. Most folks don't have a clue about proper english however languages are not static they evolve. Ever read an original version of "the canterbury tales"?

The worse thing in the world is the word "irregardless". That really chaps my hide.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Ending a sentence with a preposition?

Wasn't aware of that, thanks !

Ending a sentence in a preposition

Ending a Sentence with a Preposition
As a useful guideline, try to avoid ending a sentence with a preposition. (However, as shown later in this section, there are several factors to consider.)

Examples:

That is a situation I have not thought of.
(The word of is a preposition. Writers should avoid ending sentences in prepositions. This is because a preposition should sit before a noun or a pronoun.)
She is a person I cannot cope with.
(The word with is a preposition.)

It is behaviour I will not put up with.
(This example ends in two prepositions: up and with.)

Not a Serious Error
Where possible, you should avoid ending a sentence in a preposition. However, after shuffling the words so that the preposition is not at the end, the re-structured version often sounds contrived and unnatural.

Examples:

That is a situation of which I have not thought.
(This version is grammatically more pure than the one above. In this example, the word of sits before which (a type of pronoun - see lesson Types of Pronouns.)

She is a person with whom I cannot cope.
It is behaviour up with which I will not put.
(This example sounds extremely contrived.)

Reword to Avoid
Often, the best solution is to re-word the sentence.

Examples:

That is a situation I have not considered.
(There are no prepositions in this sentence, and it has the same meaning.)

It is behaviour I will not tolerate.

Leave the Preposition at the End
If the sentence sounds too contrived after it has been reworded, another option is to leave the preposition at the end of the sentence.

There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about. (Oscar Wilde)
(This is an example of a sentence that should be left with the preposition at the end.)

I hope no one is taking offense at this thread but I just found this gem:

Originally Posted by Utopian

Ending a sentence with a preposition?

Ron,

For typing all of that out on an iPhone a few minutes before going out with my lady. It had less mistakes then I imagined.

Also , in regards to my preposition at the end of a sentence. I defend with this from Wikipedia. "Preposition stranding was in use long before any English speakers objected to it.[7] Many sources consider it to be acceptable in standard formal English.[8][9] [10] "Great literature from Chaucer to Milton to Shakespeare to the King James version of the Bible was full of so called terminal prepositions."[9]

If the Bible and Shakespeare used these prepositions at the end of a sentence it must be acceptable.

Originally Posted by WW243

Roger that...I'm not railing against regional, or cultural differences. I like them. I'm railing against gross negligence.

I understand. Hopefully I type a message better than I speak the message. I owe any achievements I may have in this area to my teachers in school. They were great.

Originally Posted by S0LITARYS0LDIER

Ron,

For typing all of that out on an iPhone a few minutes before going out with my lady. It had less mistakes then I imagined.

Also , in regards to my preposition at the end of a sentence. I defend with this from Wikipedia. "Preposition stranding was in use long before any English speakers objected to it.[7] Many sources consider it to be acceptable in standard formal English.[8][9] [10] "Great literature from Chaucer to Milton to Shakespeare to the King James version of the Bible was full of so called terminal prepositions."[9]

If the Bible and Shakespeare used these prepositions at the end of a sentence it must be acceptable.

I hope I'm not over stepping my bounds but if your with your lady it would be wise to pay attention to her and not us.