In grumpy old man mode!

[Dragon Rapide]

The logical extension of your argument would see our extraordinary and rich language degenerate to a vocabulary of 5,000 most-used words on the basis that with a bit of effort we can all probably understand what's being expressed. That is a depressing thought. I believe that good expression of thoughts and ideas and facts is a function of intelligence so I do not see the two as mutually exclusive.

[Liveforriat]

That would obviously be a bad thing and my point like most arguments when taken to ultimate conclusion doesn't stand up so well, its all about striking a balance! Language is a beautiful thing no doubt I was just making a general point that small errors such as the use of have and of wont generally be corrected because they dont breakdown communication.

Expression of yourself through language is a wonderful thing but i do not not believe that being unable to do this always indicates a lack of intelligence. There are many people who are good in many areas of life but words are not one of them. I suppose it boils down to the question what do you mean by being intelligent ? Would a physicist who cannot express himself in words and constantly says should of instead of should have but can dazzle with detailed intense mathematical calculations not be intelligent ? I dont know, I think they would be but perhaps some would not.

I think I do agree that if someone is articulate and expresses themselves well then they generally have a high level of intelligence I just dont think its an absolute and I definitely think that you can be intelligent but no be the best at expression through written and spoken language !

[Ben H]

I really hate text talk, won't even use it when I'm sending a text. It may take a little longer to write but it makes a lot more sense to read.

Totally. I've never really communicated with anyone that does use it though...maybe I just hang around with people who aren't complete 'rihtards'. With the onset of iPhones and the like it's pretty much impossible to not use correct English - it does it for you!

[nigelblake]

There are many language and spelling traits that I deplore!
However, what gives me the grumps more than anything is those people who deliberately pull out in front of you at junctions or roundabouts etc (especially in supermarket car parks) and then give a smile and a pleasant wave, knowing full well that they have caused you to brake and/or take evasive action while they save themselves a few seconds of waiting!

[Cimmerian]

There are many language and spelling traits that I deplore!
However, what gives me the grumps more than anything is those people who deliberately pull out in front of you at junctions or roundabouts etc (especially in supermarket car parks) and then give a smile and a pleasant wave, knowing full well that they have caused you to brake and/or take evasive action while they save themselves a few seconds of waiting!

I always wave back at them...but as I've cut two fingers off of that hand it tends to look more like an offensive gesture than a wave (perhaps because I wave up and down rather than side to side. )

[Dragon Rapide]

Liveforriatt - some good points and we are in general agreement. However I would suggest that some one with intelligence is likely to want to communicate well and effectively, whereas some one with only a modicum might not be bothered to to do so.

[andyxh558]

The word LIKE in every sodding sentence has to be one of my biggest bugbears in this day and age.

for instance "like I said to him like you know what you have to do like and he said like you know like where i am coming from" GRRRR!

They interviewed a woman who survived the Concordia disaster, I hate to say this but after the 3rd usage of the above word i turned over!

[AlexC]

For example: The word Gay had a different meaning when I was a child to that of today.
Brian

That's true, but only because it's been hijacked by the homosexual community! I prefer it's earlier meaning.

[Dragon Rapide]

We had a good female friend some years ago before the word was hijacked, called Gay and after a year of struggling she changed by what she was known as. Very sad - it was a lovely word as well as a charming girl's name.

[Hatstand]

My personal opinion is that the English language always has and always will evolve and quite rightly so ! If a word has a specific meaning but enough people begin to use that word in a different context then so be it the meaning and "correct" usage of that word should alter to suit the way in which it is now used ! This is not a new phenomenon and has little to do with the education system, it is something that is as old as language itself and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.

This is true. New words are constantly entering the language... and existing words may be so misused or misspelled by the ignorant, that they become "correct".

However, at any given time... there is a correct spelling and usage for words, and in a few cases it can really grate on the nerves when people don't use them.

What bothers me more is people using words that they clearly don't understand, or using words that they've only heard and never seen in writing. Here's a few examples I've seen very recently:
"Walla" (Voila)
"Reprecautions" (repercussions)
"Could of" (Could've/Could have)
"Could care less" (Couldn't care less)

Those last two are so common amongst Americans that they are probably considered "correct" there now.

I also despise the habit of creating new verbs out nouns, something that happens a lot in the corporate world, where we now "diarise" things instead of putting them in our diaries, "incentivise" people instead of giving them incentives, etc.

Oh and by the way, forms are filled IN, not filled OUT!
(I think I'm fighting a losing battle on that one, if it isn't lost already)

[stratocaster]

This is a topic which has got a lot of contributers blood boiling including my own! words that I hear used too often are "Awesome",,I am beginning to detest that word alone.I found myself thinking at what point in life did some people start using the word "Like" in sentences? Where on earth did that spring up from? Then it struck me,,American TV programmes.I've yet to hear people string a sentence together without using "Like" to get across what they are expressing!
Other things that irritate me are people who say "Somethink" instead of something,even worse is "Somefink",,correct me if I'm wrong,but is "Somefink" batfinks' relation?
As expressed previously in a related topic somewhere,my line manager is guilty as charged of using American phrases all too often,it's unnecessary and highly irritating!

[nigelblake]

On the word “like”, I notice that a lot of people drop the “I” and just put “like that picture” instead of “I like that picture” for instance, without the phrase being personalized by using ”I” the context can be misread !
I also utterly detest the use of the word “capture” in the context of referring to digital images as a “capture”
I also hate the use of clipped words/phrases and text speak on picture comments, Flickr is full of it, I had “Gr8 cap M8” which I presume means “Great capture mate” left on my shots on Flickr, I soon deleted it!

[Dragon Rapide]

So many of these posts are causing me to groan in sympathy!!

[DanO1978]

So, judging by this thread, I take it you'd not like UKAR to lift the ban and zero-tolerance on text speak?

We're actually very proud of the standards of English we uphold on UKAR. Some forums don't moderate spelling and grammar, which makes threads off-putting and difficult to read.

[Wes_Howes]

Proud of the spelling and grammar on the board but not so bothered about the foul and abusive language. In my view, if you can't say something without resorting to such language, then your point is invalid. There is no need for such coarse language on a public forum, especially one that is frequented by minors.

Another couple of examples that "get my goat", the use of their, there and they're and your and you're

[DanO1978]

Proud of the spelling and grammar on the board but not so bothered about the foul and abusive language. In my view, if you can't say something without resorting to such language, then your point is invalid. There is no need for such coarse language on a public forum, especially one that is frequented by minors.

Another couple of examples that "get my goat", the use of their, there and they're and your and you're

We have a swear filter on the board, all the major profanities are automatically changed. Any mild language which gets through is assessed on a case-by-case basis. If it is used in a humourous way, the moderators use their discretion.

As has been said before, if UKAR's not for you, or how we run it, other forums would love your custom.

[Cimmerian]

I fink it's like nice how everyone mostly manage to right properly and don't have to resort to foul language like. And it's actually kind of awesome how so many of us are so grumpy.

Not sure how many I got on this one but I refused text as it annoys the hell out of me.

[Dragon Rapide]

So, judging by this thread, I take it you'd not like UKAR to lift the ban and zero-tolerance on text speak?

We're actually very proud of the standards of English we uphold on UKAR. Some forums don't moderate spelling and grammar, which makes threads off-putting and difficult to read.

I didn't realise there was one, but indeed I would not. The standard is better here than on a number of other forums, and long be it so.

[Wes_Howes]

DanO, it astounds me how you keep writing that quip, you're arrogance on the subjects that question the board often goes beyond the message someone is trying to convey. An observation about an annoyance, rather than a complaint and you suggsest I look elsewhere!

I was going to explain my point but you're certainly not worth the effort because I know I'll get the same arrogant response as before. Needless to say I'm not going anywhere unless forcibly removed and if that were to happen, well, it would just prove you can't take the critisism. (DIRECTLY at you DanO, not the other mods)

[DanO1978]

DanO, it astounds me how you keep writing that quip, you're arrogance on the subjects that question the board often goes beyond the message someone is trying to convey. An observation about an annoyance, rather than a complaint and you suggsest I look elsewhere!

I was going to explain my point but you're certainly not worth the effort because I know I'll get the same arrogant response as before. Needless to say I'm not going anywhere unless forcibly removed and if that were to happen, well, it would just prove you can't take the critisism. (DIRECTLY at you DanO, not the other mods)

What are you on about? First you start complaining about bad language on UKAR (which there isn't) and now it turns into a tirade against me. No-one plans to remove you, forcibly or otherwise. What an odd thing to say.

[LN Strike Eagle]

DanO, it astounds me how you keep writing that quip, you're arrogance

In keeping with the subject of this thread, I'd just like to point out that should be "your".

[Dragon Rapide]

[Wes_Howes]

Needless to say I'm not going anywhere unless forcibly removed

In response to your suggestion at moving elsewhere, I don't see what's so odd about that? If you think that was a tirade, I'd hate to think what you'd think of me when I'm in a bad mood

[Wes_Howes]

DanO, it astounds me how you keep writing that quip, you're arrogance

In keeping with the subject of this thread, I'd just like to point out that should be "your".

Epic fail! Or perhaps that should be, a shocking, grammatical, faux pas, just to keep everything in line The best part is, I bought that particular grievance up

[capercaillie]

The best part is, I bought that particular grievance up

You paid for a grievance?