In Defense of Grammar
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k_m_d_
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randy123
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Oh, and I'm not PC. I'm a Mac.
Right! They should've said, "I'm PC" instead of "I'm a PC" in the Windows commercials. It makes more sense! More of a play on words and double entendre!
Yesspleasse
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Well, I honestly can't see that it is inherently the language of inequality. What's unequal about oriental? To me it conjures up a host of positives. I grant you that in certain western countries, obviously North America especially (which I didn't realize), it has been used disparagingly, and I would for that reason be careful about using it there (not that I can remember the last time I used it anywhere, bar a recent pun on words) but the word simply, originally means 'eastern' (to a 'westerner'). Far better if people in America stopped using it disparagingly and we could all rehabilitate it and use (rather than lose) a perfectly attractive descriptive word, which as everyone seems to agree is acceptable as an adjective in other circumstances.
I mean, you could say I'm from a celtic country, and celtic people (where I come from) have arguably suffered a lot of oppression and been deemed second class citizens throughout history, but I would rather keep the word than freeze it in negative, historical aspic.
Call me what you want. If you are not being disparaging, I don't honestly mind, at the end of the day. Let language breathe.
ps. As an aside, the terms 'southerner' and 'northener' are seen by loaded by some here. That would complete the geographical set of touchy terms.
And incidentally, and for no purpose other than general interest, when Northern Irish Loyalists (ie. Brits) wanted to use a derogatory slang term for those from south of the border, the term, 'Mexicans' was chosen, though that backfired during the 'Celtic Tiger' economic boom, now collapsed. :]
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PutonaShow
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Wait wait wait.
People actually say that they'll "borrow" you something?
What does that even mean? D:
People are silly. xD
airstream
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PutonaShow
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Yep, and down south they say "borry."
Ahahaha. xD
Truth be told, I really kind of like the Southern accent. 'Tis cute. <3
airstream
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HornyVikingMN
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Couldn't agree more!
UGGH! At the risk of sounding elitist, for me there are few things that scream "Yes, I AM an ignoramus!" louder than that particular phrase. I dunno why - but I'd much rather listen to fingernails on a chalkboard.
UGGH! At the risk of sounding elitist, for me there are few things that scream "Yes, I AM an ignoramus!" louder than that particular phrase. I dunno why - but I'd much rather listen to fingernails on a chalkboard.
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HornyVikingMN
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That's the tough thing about language and labels where race, ethnicity, and many other groups are concerned. Who defines what's offensive and what's not? My rule of thumb has been that if the population that is being labeled says it's offensive, then it is, especially when that population is in the minority. I'm sure that could be debated forever, but that's how I've approached sensitive language.
Don't expect that to change anytime soon. Those terms can still be loaded when used here in the US, some 145 years after the end of our civil war. Tell me language doesn't have power and words don't matter... I say "Hah!"
1Spooky1
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Chiming in
Ok, one of my favorite peeves is supposably. Just writing it feels like nails screeching on a chalkboard. It's supposedly...and I actually hear it more than see it spelled incorrectly. But as we've mentioned previously, it appears to be a regional (southern) thing.
Ok, one of my favorite peeves is supposably. Just writing it feels like nails screeching on a chalkboard. It's supposedly...and I actually hear it more than see it spelled incorrectly. But as we've mentioned previously, it appears to be a regional (southern) thing.
peterthelicker
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Pc
I can't stand political correctness. No it has nothing to do with being a bigot. People should be called the name of their choice.
What I can't stand about political correctness is the "art of saying it the way it ain't!" (Yep, I know! Ain't is not proper English. Please indulge me.)
This quarter our company experienced significant "negative growth."
Sounds as though they had a loss!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't stand political correctness. No it has nothing to do with being a bigot. People should be called the name of their choice.
What I can't stand about political correctness is the "art of saying it the way it ain't!" (Yep, I know! Ain't is not proper English. Please indulge me.)
This quarter our company experienced significant "negative growth."
Sounds as though they had a loss!!!!!!!!!!!
peterthelicker
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Word Combinations
I once had two bosses who would combine the words "flustered" and "frustrated." Often they would speak of being "flustrated" by a situation.
I once had two bosses who would combine the words "flustered" and "frustrated." Often they would speak of being "flustrated" by a situation.
Yesspleasse
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Sounds like a pretty good rule of thumb.
I think there are advantages to cleaning up language and disadvantages. I guess I just err on the side of freedom of speech. Also, I'm not easily offended.
We've just come through 'The Century of the Self' and a lot of people seem to believe that everyone has the right not to be offended. Jeez, I dread to think how many proscribed (or negatively labelled) words, not to mention loss of colour and humour there would be if every minority (hey why not every individual, it's the natural progression) submitted a list of words they'd prefer not to be used by others.
I believe the US Census Bureau is adding 'Negro' to their categories this year, because some want to identify positively with the term. and, in a way, why shouldn't they? These terms often start out one way and get hijacked (often temporarily, in historical terms).
Anyhow. I'm going to get off my soapbox and leave this thread to those who (quite rightly) want to get on with more lighthearted examples.
rootsfan
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*chuckle* Can't say I've heard that expression before. I do get worked up about this because it's become so trendy to bash people and words for supposedly being "PC". I make no apologies for that, but I could've been more clear that my ire is more broadly aimed, rather than targeted at you.
Reading the rest of what's been posted since, I'd guess we're actually not at opposite poles on this subject. Anyway, what's funny to me is that what's labeled as political correctness is often simply correct.
Take the term "Indian" that was used for so long in America. It's obviously not based on anything factual. "Native American" makes some people grumble about "PC language", but it's much closer to the truth.
This is another example of sorts. This system really doesn't make any sense--they're all Asians.
The author you quoted calls people such as me very uptight and ultra-sensitive. Eh, I think it's just a matter of being considerate.
rootsfan
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Well, based on the evidence...
Well said!
That's not political correctness, though. That's just PR.I can't stand political correctness. No it has nothing to do with being a bigot. People should be called the name of their choice.
What I can't stand about political correctness is the "art of saying it the way it ain't!" (Yep, I know! Ain't is not proper English. Please indulge me.)
This quarter our company experienced significant "negative growth."
Sounds as though they had a loss!!!!!!!!!!!
daus42
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This is a classic Dave Barry piece
Welcome to another episode of "Ask Mister Language Person," the column written by the language expert who recently won the World Wrestling Federation Grammar Smackdown when he kneed William Safire right in the gerunds.
Our first language question comes from an extremely high federal official, who asks:
Q. What are the mandatorical parts of speech that is required to be in a sentence?
A. To be grammatorically correct, a sentence must have three basic elements: (1) A SUBJECT, which is a noun that can be either a person, place or mineral; (2) A VERB, which is a word that describes an action, such as "kung fu"; and (3) AN OBJECT, which is a noun that weighs two or more pounds. Let's see how these elements combine to form this example sentence, written by Marcel Proust:
"Being late at night, Earl failed to check his undershorts for lipstick stains, which is why he was awokened at 6:30 a.m. by Lurleen whanging him upside his head with a object."
Q. I am a top business executive writing an important memo, and I wish to know if the following wording is correct: "As far as sales, you're figures do not jive with our parameters."
A. You have made the common grammatical error of using the fricative infundibular tense following a third-person corpuscular imprecation. The correct wording is: "As far as sales, your fired."
Q. I am a foreign person from abroad visiting the United States, and I would like to know how to speak so I can "fit in" with the locals.
A. This depends on where you are. Suppose somebody says "hello" to you:
CORRECT RESPONSE IN THE MIDWEST: "You can make a bet on that! It is not presenting any problems!"
CORRECT RESPONSE IN URBAN AREAS: "Are you talking? To me? Forget all about it, bagful of dirt!"
CORRECT RESPONSE IN THE SOUTH: "I am fixing to experience a hankering for a pig organ such as chitlings, you all!"
Q. I am a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and, recently, following an incident that was totally not my fault involving an underage Shetland pony, I was charged with "moral turpitude." My question is: Is that bad? If so, would IMMORAL turpitude be good? Also, is there a rock band called "Marcel and the Turpitudes"?
A. There certainly should be.
Q. You know how, when you're waiting on hold for Customer Service, they have a recorded voice tell you that "your call may be monitored"? Who, exactly, may be monitoring it?
A. Keanu Reeves.
Q. Is it time to pad out this column with true examples of strong language usage sent in by alert readers?
A. It most surely is:
Paul Briggs sent in an Associated Press article concerning a referendum to ban alcohol sales in Fairhope Township, Pa., in which a resident is quoted as making the following allegation about the town's only bar, Hillbilly Haven: "Some nights, I think they have those teriyaki songs."
Dan Lothringer sent in an article from The Houston Chronicle that begins: "Texans used to enjoying a frosty brew inside their car may soon find themselves slapped with a hefty ticket, with a bill banning open containers of alcohol in cars speeding to the governor's desk."
Sharon Canada sent in an English-language driver's manual for foreigners in the Republic of Korea, which contains this statement: "Drivers must not allow passengers to make noise or disorder such as dancing on vehicles to the degree of interrupting safe driving."
Q. Does that mean that a certain amount of dancing on vehicles is okay?
A. Yes, under the right circumstances, such as when the vehicle is speeding toward the governor's desk and everyone is singing teriyaki songs.
Welcome to another episode of "Ask Mister Language Person," the column written by the language expert who recently won the World Wrestling Federation Grammar Smackdown when he kneed William Safire right in the gerunds.
Our first language question comes from an extremely high federal official, who asks:
Q. What are the mandatorical parts of speech that is required to be in a sentence?
A. To be grammatorically correct, a sentence must have three basic elements: (1) A SUBJECT, which is a noun that can be either a person, place or mineral; (2) A VERB, which is a word that describes an action, such as "kung fu"; and (3) AN OBJECT, which is a noun that weighs two or more pounds. Let's see how these elements combine to form this example sentence, written by Marcel Proust:
"Being late at night, Earl failed to check his undershorts for lipstick stains, which is why he was awokened at 6:30 a.m. by Lurleen whanging him upside his head with a object."
Q. I am a top business executive writing an important memo, and I wish to know if the following wording is correct: "As far as sales, you're figures do not jive with our parameters."
A. You have made the common grammatical error of using the fricative infundibular tense following a third-person corpuscular imprecation. The correct wording is: "As far as sales, your fired."
Q. I am a foreign person from abroad visiting the United States, and I would like to know how to speak so I can "fit in" with the locals.
A. This depends on where you are. Suppose somebody says "hello" to you:
CORRECT RESPONSE IN THE MIDWEST: "You can make a bet on that! It is not presenting any problems!"
CORRECT RESPONSE IN URBAN AREAS: "Are you talking? To me? Forget all about it, bagful of dirt!"
CORRECT RESPONSE IN THE SOUTH: "I am fixing to experience a hankering for a pig organ such as chitlings, you all!"
Q. I am a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and, recently, following an incident that was totally not my fault involving an underage Shetland pony, I was charged with "moral turpitude." My question is: Is that bad? If so, would IMMORAL turpitude be good? Also, is there a rock band called "Marcel and the Turpitudes"?
A. There certainly should be.
Q. You know how, when you're waiting on hold for Customer Service, they have a recorded voice tell you that "your call may be monitored"? Who, exactly, may be monitoring it?
A. Keanu Reeves.
Q. Is it time to pad out this column with true examples of strong language usage sent in by alert readers?
A. It most surely is:
Paul Briggs sent in an Associated Press article concerning a referendum to ban alcohol sales in Fairhope Township, Pa., in which a resident is quoted as making the following allegation about the town's only bar, Hillbilly Haven: "Some nights, I think they have those teriyaki songs."
Dan Lothringer sent in an article from The Houston Chronicle that begins: "Texans used to enjoying a frosty brew inside their car may soon find themselves slapped with a hefty ticket, with a bill banning open containers of alcohol in cars speeding to the governor's desk."
Sharon Canada sent in an English-language driver's manual for foreigners in the Republic of Korea, which contains this statement: "Drivers must not allow passengers to make noise or disorder such as dancing on vehicles to the degree of interrupting safe driving."
Q. Does that mean that a certain amount of dancing on vehicles is okay?
A. Yes, under the right circumstances, such as when the vehicle is speeding toward the governor's desk and everyone is singing teriyaki songs.
HornyVikingMN
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Have we run out of annoying abuses of the English language so quickly?
Ekserb
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Things have three dimensions: Length, width, and height. Not heigth (or however one would spell that fucking abomination). I know it's difficult to stop when two out of three words end with the "-th" sound, but the word is height.
Someone else pointed this out, but I wanted to elaborate: "Would of," "could of" and "should of" are not correct. At all. "Would've," "could've" and "should've" are contractions.
Someone else pointed this out, but I wanted to elaborate: "Would of," "could of" and "should of" are not correct. At all. "Would've," "could've" and "should've" are contractions.
