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John of Melbourne
The Ghost of George Stephenson
Joined: Jan 30, 2003
Last Visited: Oct 16, 2007
Location: Melbourne suburbs
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 12:49 am
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Responding to some comments in the Victoria->B74 topic that were objected to as being off-topic... 
| mars wrote: | Come on guys, lighten up. I'm sure that you've both made spelling, grammer & punctuation mistakes in ure lifes...
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Not to the extent of many of the messages here, I haven't.
| Andy711549 wrote: | | You two...are you english teachers? if so i can understand your buzz about speeling and grammer. If not get a life...havent you heard of "chat english"? |
Spelling and grammar are for everyone, not just English teachers. (Who do you think the English teachers teach?). No, I haven't heard of "chat english". Is that merely a description of lousy English or an attempt to legitimise lousy English by giving it a name?
| ParkesHub wrote: | | Yes...but the reader has to be able to figure out what the heck is being said!!! |
Exactly!
Er, no actually, not exactly. See my next comment.
| Andy711549 wrote: | | parkes if you couldnt figure out what was meant than your obviously one of the 3 60+ members on the forum |
99% of the time I can figure out what is being said. But I shouldn't have to figure it out! I should be able to just read it and understand it without the extra effort of trying to figure it out.
And by the way, the "60+" comment was not very nice with regard to older people, many of whom are probably a lot smarter - and wiser - than you (and I'm not in that age category, by the way).
From my school days (and there are all sorts of variations):
The teacher said the student is an idiot.
The teacher, said the student, is an idiot. Which one is the idiot? Punctuation does make a difference.
Last edited by John of Melbourne on Fri Dec 24, 2004 9:59 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Nick Moss
Station Master
Joined: Jan 24, 2004
Last Visited: Mar 18, 2005
Location: Brisbane, QLD
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 1:17 am
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John - actually, I reckon that last one should read: "The teacher", said the student, "is an idiot" 
He does have a point though - it isn't hard to use grammar, and it saves on a lot misunderstanding further down the track. Not to mention it looks a lot more professional. One forum I was a member of, the owner refused to do anything about his apalling grammar and spelling. The whole thing eventually came apart, and he had to put a lot of work in to get the community back together. It is certainly a turn off to new members to see the general forum populace not having much regard for good (or even passable) grammar. I have yet to see anything blatantly annoying, but then again, I have yet to read the vast bulk of this forum...
No one likes people being pedantic about the way they speak/write, but at the same time, no one likes having to spend 10 minutes trying to work out what on earth is being said, when they shouldn't have to...
NM
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jm1941
Chief Commissioner
Joined: Jan 16, 2003
Last Visited: Nov 30, 2008
Location: Mount Gambier
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 9:25 am
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| John of Melbourne wrote: | | Andy711549 wrote: | | parkes if you couldnt figure out what was meant than your obviously one of the 3 60+ members on the forum |
99% of the time I can figure out what is being said. But I shouldn't have to figure it out! I should be able to just read it and understand it without the extra effort of trying to figure it out.
And by the way, the "60+" comment was not very nice with regard to older people, many of whom are probably a lot smarter - and wiser - than you (and I'm not in that age category, by the way). |
John interesting topic and some good points.
 Had to laugh at Andy's comment, "your obviously one of the 3 60+ members on the forum" Strange how some of the the younger set judge by themselves and perceive the over 60's, or even the older generations for that matter.
If you get to read this post Andy, I'm one of the over 60+'s, so for those who may think like that, let's see how they fair by the time they reach the 60+ after going to the school of hard knocks for over 60+ years. Is okay I forgive you, I realise you probably said this just as a "figure of speech"
In our day a lot of us HAD to leave school at 14 (were lucky to reach grade 7 primary) to go out to work for a living and keep ourselves literally. I mean to leave home and support yourself at 14, no one else to help you either, not even the system. Was hard, but was the BEST teacher.
In those early days, parents could not literally afford to give us the opportunity the youngsters of today "take for granted" of a higher education. But we were always taught basic reading, writing, and arithmetic and to TRY to spell correctly at least, so the person we are communicating with, can at the very least, understand what one is on about. If one does not want to gain understanding, then why waste one's time here posting, and trying to communicate to all who read our posts in a gibberish language and often unreadable words.
Even at 60+ I use "ieSpell" a post spell-checker that is part of my Internet Explorer for my posts, and not a hard thing to do either. My grandma, I mean grammar (little joke here) may not be tops, but everyone I communicate with seems to at least understand me so far. If I started using "Chat English" whatever that is, I presume it is that language that we all read over and read past their posts, so they never ever get their point of view across to most. Sad, as it is simply unreadable (no understanding) to the majority who read here.
But then again everyone to their own I suppose. I came from an era we all understood each other, but I suppose it is "modern" to be so different one may never know what you say, or mean anymore. 
Regards,
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T411
Moderator
Joined: Jun 09, 2003
Last Visited: Nov 30, 2008
Location: Somewhere
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 9:44 am
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I tend to agree with the sentiments that the two John's the expressed here. I find that correct spelling and grammer makes it far far easier to understand what has been posted.
I also accept that no one, including myself, is perfect but by at least trying to use correct grammer and spelling, that most of the time it does work out. The attitude of | Quote: | | parkes if you couldnt figure out what was meant than your obviously one of the 3 60+ members on the forum |
is quite unhelpful. Instead of attacking, how about double checking bfore hitting the submit button? Only takes a few seconds.
"Its not an offence to drive like a prat, half of London does"
WPC Martella, The Bill, circa 1989
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Riccardo
Minister for Railways
Joined: Aug 20, 2003
Last Visited: Nov 28, 2008
Location: Elsewhere
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 10:11 am
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I also find it better if people can at least capitalise the start of the sentence, put full stops between sentences and try to get most of their spelling right.
My biggest failing is 'there' vs' their' which I mix up a fair bit. Stream of consciousness sometimes happens.
It would also help if people used extra colour, bolding, emoticons etc as one long slab of plain text looks impenitrable.
If you need to get in touch, drop a comment at the Transport Textbook or on my blog.
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Nexas
The Ghost of George Stephenson
Joined: Jan 12, 2003
Last Visited: Nov 26, 2008
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 10:40 am
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| jm1941 wrote: | | John of Melbourne wrote: | | Andy711549 wrote: | | parkes if you couldnt figure out what was meant than your obviously one of the 3 60+ members on the forum |
99% of the time I can figure out what is being said. But I shouldn't have to figure it out! I should be able to just read it and understand it without the extra effort of trying to figure it out.
And by the way, the "60+" comment was not very nice with regard to older people, many of whom are probably a lot smarter - and wiser - than you (and I'm not in that age category, by the way). |
John interesting topic and some good points.
Had to laugh at Andy's comment, "your obviously one of the 3 60+ members on the forum" Strange how some of the the younger set judge by themselves and perceive the over 60's, or even the older generations for that matter.
If you get to read this post Andy, I'm one of the over 60+'s, so for those who may think like that, let's see how they fair by the time they reach the 60+ after going to the school of hard knocks for over 60+ years. Is okay I forgive you, I realise you probably said this just as a "figure of speech"
In our day a lot of us HAD to leave school at 14 (were lucky to reach grade 7 primary) to go out to work for a living and keep ourselves literally. I mean to leave home and support yourself at 14, no one else to help you either, not even the system. Was hard, but was the BEST teacher.
In those early days, parents could not literally afford to give us the opportunity the youngsters of today "take for granted" of a higher education. But we were always taught basic reading, writing, and arithmetic and to TRY to spell correctly at least, so the person we are communicating with, can at the very least, understand what one is on about. If one does not want to gain understanding, then why waste one's time here posting, and trying to communicate to all who read our posts in a gibberish language and often unreadable words.
Even at 60+ I use "ieSpell" a post spell-checker that is part of my Internet Explorer for my posts, and not a hard thing to do either. My grandma, I mean grammar (little joke here) may not be tops, but everyone I communicate with seems to at least understand me so far. If I started using "Chat English" whatever that is, I presume it is that language that we all read over and read past their posts, so they never ever get their point of view across to most. Sad, as it is simply unreadable (no understanding) to the majority who read here.
But then again everyone to their own I suppose. I came from an era we all understood each other, but I suppose it is "modern" to be so different one may never know what you say, or mean anymore.
Regards, |
And I'm sure you had to walk 20 miles to school every day with bare feet in snow storms too? (Ok maybe not the snow storms)
I'm only 17, and I hate this so called "Chat English"! Some abbreviations are okay, but most are annoying and shortened words annoy me!
Views expressed by me are strictly my own, not of my friends, employer, or anyone else, unless otherwise stated.
*Back at RP for a limited time only*
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trainfreak
Site Admin
Joined: Jan 71, 1883
Last Visited: Dec 2, 2008
Location: Ringworm East, Melbourne, Australia
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 11:03 am
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I can type fluently in both but, when I have the RP "uniform" on I talk properly. It depends on who or what I'm talking to!
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Nexas
The Ghost of George Stephenson
Joined: Jan 12, 2003
Last Visited: Nov 26, 2008
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 11:06 am
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| trainfreak wrote: | | I can type fluently in both but, when I have the RP "uniform" on I talk properly. It depends on who or what I'm talking to! |
So can I, but I rarely use it as most of it smeg me.
Views expressed by me are strictly my own, not of my friends, employer, or anyone else, unless otherwise stated.
*Back at RP for a limited time only*
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TheLoadedDog
El Sombrero!
Joined: Jun 19, 2003
Last Visited: Sep 28, 2008
Location: Macquarie Fields NSW
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 11:15 am
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| Nexas wrote: |
And I'm sure you had to walk 20 miles to school every day with bare feet in snow storms too? |
Aye, and it were oophill both ways laddie, and we we came 'ome, our dad would thrash oos tae sleep wi' broken bo'tle - if we were lucky! Aye, an' we wuz thankful for a'.
Sorry, I couldn't resist. 
Seriously though, I post on a few messageboards, and whilst I seriously dislike grammar Nazis (heck, we all make typos), it is nice to see people make an effort to use correct English.
Pet Peeves:
- ALL "1337" type chat room English, lol. Special mention for the dreaded 'ur'.
- aNy tYpinG LyK tHyS ( it looks STUPID, not cool )
- there, their, they're (it's not hard)
- 'loose' for 'lose'
- 'less' when they mean 'fewer'
That'll do me for now.
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trainfreak
Site Admin
Joined: Jan 71, 1883
Last Visited: Dec 2, 2008
Location: Ringworm East, Melbourne, Australia
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 11:17 am
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Yes, me too. It doesn't smeg me as such because I can read it myselfbut I hate to see people who use it all through posts. They are shprt, hgave no content and generally are smeg. The only time I ever use total slang is when I'm in a hurry. Its just that tiny bit faster
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Nexas
The Ghost of George Stephenson
Joined: Jan 12, 2003
Last Visited: Nov 26, 2008
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 11:52 am
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| trainfreak wrote: | | Yes, me too. It doesn't smeg me as such because I can read it myselfbut I hate to see people who use it all through posts. They are shprt, hgave no content and generally are smeg. The only time I ever use total slang is when I'm in a hurry. Its just that tiny bit faster |
Only time I use it is on Mobile Phone SMS when I don't wanna use another page and pay another cost. Even then I barely use it.
What smeg me most is "Da"... ARGH!!!!  Hate that "Word" (shouldn't be considered one)
Agreeing with TheLoadedDog™...
I also hate 1337 SP34K!
And have always hated TyPiNg LiKe ThIs as it really wastes time typing it.
Although... using BRB and LOL are okay for me, as I use them a lot, in general most abbreviations are alright, it's just the shortened words that smeg me. Who needs to Shorten "The" to "Da"... really... its only 1 letter shorter...
Views expressed by me are strictly my own, not of my friends, employer, or anyone else, unless otherwise stated.
*Back at RP for a limited time only*
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ParkesHub
Chief Commissioner
Joined: Jul 29, 2003
Last Visited: Nov 30, 2008
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 11:57 am
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| Riccardo wrote: |
My biggest failing is 'there' vs' their' which I mix up a fair bit. Stream of consciousness sometimes happens.
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Hmmm... I think some detention is in order for you, Riccardo!
Or maybe write 50 times:
"I put their books over there."
BTW, Andy's 60+ comment was in reply to a post I'd made but I did have a laugh about it, actually!
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jm1941
Chief Commissioner
Joined: Jan 16, 2003
Last Visited: Nov 30, 2008
Location: Mount Gambier
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 12:12 pm
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| Riccardo wrote: | | My biggest failing is 'there' vs' their' which I mix up a fair bit. Stream of consciousness sometimes happens. |
You too,,,,,
After all these years I still have to check on that one, but getting better at it since visiting the forums.
| Nexas wrote: | | And I'm sure you had to walk 20 miles to school every day with bare feet in snow storms too? (Ok maybe not the snow storms) |
No, not 20 miles in bare feet, but walked 3 miles. Oh yes we did wear shoes (parents could only afford one pair at a time in those days), was no arguments, or peer pressure which shoes to wear either. Oh yes, no snowstorms here in S.A. either.
| TheLoadedDog™ wrote: | Aye, and it were oophill both ways laddie, and we we came 'ome, our dad would thrash oos tae sleep wi' broken bo'tle - if we were lucky! Aye, an' we wuz thankful for a'.
Sorry, I couldn't resist. |
Good one nuke ya put it well.
Regards,
Last edited by jm1941 on Tue Jan 27, 2004 12:25 pm; edited 1 time in total
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mjja
Sir Nigel Gresley
Joined: Jan 13, 2003
Last Visited: Nov 26, 2008
Location: Mount Waverley, Melbourne
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 12:15 pm
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It's not that hard to use proper spelling and grammar. Just get into the habit of doing it all the time - it shows that you are courteous enough to value other people's time deciphering what you've written higher than your own time checking to see that it's easy to decipher.
Remember, the value of a forum like this is in the information that is published. If it's too much trouble to try to decipher the information, the forum's whole reason for existence is taken away.
Happy Gunzelling and remember, "Go by rail!"
Michael Angelico
President, Smart Passengers Inc
(My opinions are my own unless specifically stated.)
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Nexas
The Ghost of George Stephenson
Joined: Jan 12, 2003
Last Visited: Nov 26, 2008
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 12:53 pm
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| mjja wrote: | It's not that hard to use proper spelling and grammar. Just get into the habit of doing it all the time - it shows that you are courteous enough to value other people's time deciphering what you've written higher than your own time checking to see that it's easy to decipher.
Remember, the value of a forum like this is in the information that is published. If it's too much trouble to try to decipher the information, the forum's whole reason for existence is taken away. |
All that stuff is simple to figure out tho, and easy to decipher, it's just annoying thats all.
Views expressed by me are strictly my own, not of my friends, employer, or anyone else, unless otherwise stated.
*Back at RP for a limited time only*
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