Thread: Calling all grammar nazis

Originally Posted by Cangooner

I think it's extremely useful for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately the first four Latin profs I had were all *terrible* and so I developed a healthy loathing for the language. I still use it, but I usually cringe.

I completely agree with your statement "Words matter."
Re: my studies of Latin, let's just say the curriculum was nun-approved.

Originally Posted by Cangooner

I think it's extremely useful for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately the first four Latin profs I had were all *terrible* and so I developed a healthy loathing for the language. I still use it, but I usually cringe.

Latin would be very useful if you studied French, Italy or Spain. Actually it is more or less related to most anglican languages of today and many words come originally from Latin.

Our teacher was a huge (must have been about 140 kg/310 lbs) madman who smelled garlic and yesterday's booze. We called him with Latin name 'Timeo' (=i'm afraid). He only wanted to get the tiniest opportunity to scream and roar the hair off our heads. That is what he did very often. Not learning or neglecting home works was not an option, we were simply too scared for that. I remember him saying to my girlfriend (back then) that if you do not button up your shirt very quickly, i'll gonna get horny and then you suffer. From that moment no girl ever wanted to look too bimbo at his lessons

Nowadays i think he was great teacher: everyone got good degree on Latin when we graduated. I think mine was M (magna cum laude). Saw him few times years after school and realized that it was just a role he acted. Sorry off topic.

Originally Posted by Theseus

This may be correct with conversational English, but with the written word, proper grammar and usage should try to be maintained.

It is strange to me that any 6 year old with English as their native tongue can speak perfectly. They know all the rules subconsciously. Why, when it comes to the written word, things get all mixed up and complicated?

Originally Posted by 32t

It is strange to me that any 6 year old with English as their native tongue can speak perfectly. They know all the rules subconsciously. Why, when it comes to the written word, things get all mixed up and complicated?

Because you are actually referring to the mythical phenomenon known as "transference of ability". Differing parts of the human brain are responsible for differing types of language formation and it takes years of practice for the neural pathways betwixt the two to form. Look up Broca's and Wernicke's areas.

Originally Posted by 32t

It is strange to me that any 6 year old with English as their native tongue can speak perfectly. They know all the rules subconsciously. Why, when it comes to the written word, things get all mixed up and complicated?

It's the cunning linguists' fault.

The more time I spend around them, the more I am amazed at what kids can learn. In a few weeks I'll be heading out to visit my sister and her family, and will be seeing my two nephews (6 and 9) for the first time since May. As much as I'm getting used to seeing it happen, I just know that I'll be amazed yet again at how much they have changed, learned, and grown in that short span of time.

Originally Posted by 32t

It is strange to me that any 6 year old with English as their native tongue can speak perfectly. They know all the rules subconsciously. Why, when it comes to the written word, things get all mixed up and complicated?

What *really* gets me is how different the disciplines of reading and writing are. It is not at all uncommon for people to be able to read but not write. Even though they involve the same medium, they involve different processes. See Charlemagne, for example.

Originally Posted by Cangooner

See Charlemagne, for example.

No thanks, I've already had my gall bladder removed for stones!

Originally Posted by mapleleafalumnus

No thanks, I've already had my gall bladder removed for stones!

What, praying to St Liborius didn't pan out?



Edit: how messed up does one's mind have to be to remember the patron saint of gallstone ailments, but forget to pay the phone bill??

Originally Posted by Cangooner

What, praying to St Liborius didn't pan out?

You know I'm an atheist! Swear to god!!!

Originally Posted by Cangooner

What, praying to St Liborius didn't pan out?



Edit: how messed up does one's mind have to be to remember the patron saint of gallstone ailments, but forget to pay the phone bill??

That's what you get for living in the Dark Ages, my friend!