The English Language

[Homestar]

Was listening to the radio the other week and heard and interesting conversation about how an inflection on a particular word can change the meaning of the sentence completely - which we would all know and acknowledge - but to emphasise the point, the following sentence was read out.

'I didn't say your dog bit me'

A simple 7 word sentence which turns out to have 7 different meaning depending on which word is emphasised. Read the following again, and put the emphasis on the word in bold italics.

'I didn't say your dog bit me'
'I didn't say your dog bit me'
'I didn't say your dog bit me'
'I didn't say your dog bit me'
'I didn't say your dog bit me'
'I didn't say your dog bit me'
'I didn't say your dog bit me'

Probably just part of the reason the written word can be misinterpreted so badly. [biggrin]

[Tins]

Was listening to the radio the other week and heard and interesting conversation about how an inflection on a particular word can change the meaning of the sentence completely - which we would all know and acknowledge - but to emphasise the point, the following sentence was read out.

'I didn't say your dog bit me'

A simple 7 word sentence which turns out to have 7 different meaning depending on which word is emphasised. Read the following again, and put the emphasis on the word in bold italics.

'I didn't day your dog bit me'
'I didn't say your dog bit me'
'I didn't say your dog bit me'
'I didn't say your dog bit me'
'I didn't say your dog bit me'
'I didn't say your dog bit me'
'I didn't say your dog bit me'

Probably just part of the reason the written word can be misinterpreted so badly. [biggrin]

Definitely. No inflection in SMS gets me into trouble often. Same on here.

[101RRS]

'I didn't day your dog bit me'


Now that is a silly statement

[DiscoMick]

Was listening to the radio the other week and heard and interesting conversation about how an inflection on a particular word can change the meaning of the sentence completely - which we would all know and acknowledge - but to emphasise the point, the following sentence was read out.

'I didn't say your dog bit me'

A simple 7 word sentence which turns out to have 7 different meaning depending on which word is emphasised. Read the following again, and put the emphasis on the word in bold italics.

'I didn't day your dog bit me'
'I didn't say your dog bit me'
'I didn't say your dog bit me'
'I didn't say your dog bit me'
'I didn't say your dog bit me'
'I didn't say your dog bit me'
'I didn't say your dog bit me'

Probably just part of the reason the written word can be misinterpreted so badly. [biggrin]
Yep that works. Another example is:

He gave her red roses.

Changing the stressed word can change it into a statement or a question and change the meaning.

English is a crazy language.

[workingonit]

Underline, or bold, as you have done? Maybe not possible on all devices.

[Homestar]

Now that is a silly statement


Oops... [bigwhistle]

[Homestar]

Underline, or bold, as you have done? Maybe not possible on all devices.

Yeah, just checked and the app doesn’t do bold - didn’t know that, but it’s still in italics. Laptop and iPad works fine.

[Tins]

Yeah, just checked and the app doesn’t do bold - didn’t know that, but it’s still in italics. Laptop and iPad works fine.

What app? What device?

How to increase legibility with large and bold text for visual accessibility on iPhone and iPad | iMore (https://www.imore.com/how-enable-large-and-bold-text-visual-accessibility-iphone-and-ipad)

[Eevo]

Would you help your uncle jack off a horse?
Would you help your uncle Jack off a horse?

[pop058]

Would you help your uncle jack off a horse?
Would you help your uncle Jack off a horse?

You have been there before, something new perhaps ??

[Homestar]

What app? What device?

How to increase legibility with large and bold text for visual accessibility on iPhone and iPad | iMore (https://www.imore.com/how-enable-large-and-bold-text-visual-accessibility-iphone-and-ipad)

The AULRO app. This is the only place I can’t see it in bold. On my iPhone and iPad using Safari and laptop using Chrome, it’s fine.

[gromit]

I got 'bailed up' in a large company I worked for in the UK over 20 years ago because people were misinterpreting my emails. No body language or inflection so the reader puts their own interpretation on the typed word. When sending an email, or posting a thread on a forum for that matter, type it then try and read it as though you are a recipient then modify accordingly.

Another problem is that the English language gets watered down since we moved on to 'text speak' etc.

Punctuation is another area that is falling by the wayside, along with the correct use of capital letters...... Using capital letters | Oxford Dictionaries (https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/spelling/using-capital-letters)
A capital letter and maybe some punctuation changes the meaning of this sentence "helping uncle jack off a horse" (yeah, I know it's an oldie....)

Welcome to the Apostrophe Protection Society (http://www.apostrophe.org.uk/)

We still have kids at school and the homework sheets they bring home have American spelling, problem is that the teachers probably don't know any different. Spell checkers on software packages default to American English which doesn't help either.


I guess language changes as time goes by, American is spelt as it's spoken so the 'English' language will gradually become American........



Colin

[Eevo]

You have been there before, something new perhaps ??

I went to see uncle Jack off at the airport.

[V8Ian]

In Thai (IIRC)...
My my my my (spelling??) translates to 'wet wood won't burn'. I'm not sure if each my is spelt differently, but it is spoken in a different tone.

[Tins]

The AULRO app. This is the only place I can’t see it in bold. On my iPhone and iPad using Safari and laptop using Chrome, it’s fine.


Aah. Sorry, don't use it so didn't think of it.

[Tins]

I got 'bailed up' in a large company I worked for in the UK over 20 years ago because people were misinterpreting my emails. No body language or inflection so the reader puts their own interpretation on the typed word. When sending an email, or posting a thread on a forum for that matter, type it then try and read it as though you are a recipient then modify accordingly.

Another problem is that the English language gets watered down since we moved on to 'text speak' etc.

Punctuation is another area that is falling by the wayside, along with the correct use of capital letters...... Using capital letters | Oxford Dictionaries (https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/spelling/using-capital-letters)
A capital letter and maybe some punctuation changes the meaning of this sentence "helping uncle jack off a horse" (yeah, I know it's an oldie....)

Welcome to the Apostrophe Protection Society (http://www.apostrophe.org.uk/)

We still have kids at school and the homework sheets they bring home have American spelling, problem is that the teachers probably don't know any different. Spell checkers on software packages default to American English which doesn't help either.


I guess language changes as time goes by, American is spelt as it's spoken so the 'English' language will gradually become American........



Colin

It's funny that the Americanisms that I rail against are actually nearer to English as it was than English English is. Not "normalcy" though; that is an abomination. So is "closure".

[Fifth Columnist]

The poor semi-colon is virtually extinct. [bawl]

The semicolon. (http://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/exercises/grammar/grammar_tutorial/page_05.htm)

[rick130]

English is a crazy language.

Mick, you should try German !
The same word can have several meanings depending on the word preceding it, and sentence genders can be a little random....:wacko:

Yes, someone is learning German atm....:lol:

[travelrover]

Mick, you should try German !
The same word can have several meanings depending on the word preceding it, and sentence genders can be a little random....:wacko:

Yes, someone is learning German atm....[emoji38]Mandarin is similar, a word is spelt the same but can have many means depending on the pronunciation. Some variations are so subtle as a westerner you have great difficuly picking them up.

[Toxic_Avenger]

English is no doubt complicated, but that's what makes it fun [wink11]

For one of those mind=blown moments, have a read of this poem called 'The Chaos'. (http://ncf.idallen.com/english.html) Excerpt below.


Dearest creature in creation
Studying English pronunciation,
I will teach you in my verse
Sounds like corpse, corps, horse and worse.

I will keep you, Susy, busy,
Make your head with heat grow dizzy;
Tear in eye, your dress you'll tear;
Queer, fair seer, hear my prayer.

Pray, console your loving poet,
Make my coat look new, dear, sew it!
Just compare heart, hear and heard,
Dies and diet, lord and word.

Sword and sward, retain and Britain
(Mind the latter how it's written).
Made has not the sound of bade,
Say-said, pay-paid, laid but plaid.


Cop an eyeball-full of the phonetic transcription (ncf.idallen.com/TheChaosPRETTY.pdf) too, if you are so inclined.

[jx2mad]

So...can a dark horse be called a fair cow?

[DiscoMick]

Mick, you should try German !
The same word can have several meanings depending on the word preceding it, and sentence genders can be a little random....:wacko:

Yes, someone is learning German atm....[emoji38]
Or Thai. There are five ways to pronounce each word (high, medium, low, rising, falling) and each pronunciation completely changes the meaning. I would choose the right word, but mispronounce it. Did my head in.

[V8Ian]

In Thai (IIRC)...
My my my my (spelling??) translates to 'wet wood won't burn'. I'm not sure if each my is spelt differently, but it is spoken in a different tone.


Or Thai. There are five ways to pronounce each word (high, medium, low, rising, falling) and each pronunciation completely changes the meaning. I would choose the right word, but mispronounce it. Did my head in.
Well, my, my, my. [bigwhistle]

[workingonit]

Apologies to Toxic

English is no doubt complicated, but that's what makes it fun.
English is a fertile language; some say fecund.
And there lies the trouble, have I just sworn at someone?

Try using the 'f' word in polite company...

[Tins]

Mick, you should try German !
The same word can have several meanings depending on the word preceding it, and sentence genders can be a little random....:wacko:

Yes, someone is learning German atm....:lol:

Did three years of German. Thought I would be OK. Tried it out on a couple of Germans I knew. All I can say is I'm glad they both spoke English so I could sort it out.

I also learned some Italian. Difference is, Italians laugh when you bugger it up. Germans, not so much.

[Milton477]

Then we have the signboard at a new building construction in North Lakes declaring it to be the Sight of the new hospital.

[V8Ian]

Then we have the signboard at a new building construction in North Lakes declaring it to be the Sight of the new hospital.
Well you can see it from there.

[cuppabillytea]

I haven't been bitten by anyones dog since 1965 and it didn't belong to any of you.[biggrin]

[cuppabillytea]

Mick, you should try German !
The same word can have several meanings depending on the word preceding it, and sentence genders can be a little random....:wacko:

Yes, someone is learning German atm....:lol:
You'll have lots of friends when you learn German.

[travelrover]

Living in Asia for many years and on occasion trying to explain that advice and advise are quite different words. Let’s just say challenging :-)

[Eevo]

Living in Asia for many years and on occasion trying to explain that advice and advise are quite different words. Let’s just say challenging :-)

what did you advise them? what advice can you offer this forum?

[travelrover]

what did you advise them? what advice can you offer this forum?

I turned to drink. Was easier to handle

[craig a]

Another one that bugs me is the incorrect effect of using affect.

[rick130]

Did three years of German. Thought I would be OK. Tried it out on a couple of Germans I knew. All I can say is I'm glad they both spoke English so I could sort it out.

I also learned some Italian. Difference is, Italians laugh when you bugger it up. Germans, not so much.
You'll have lots of friends when you learn German.There's method to my madness.
I'm trying to impress one person only and so far it's working. :D

[rick130]

Then we have the signboard at a new building construction in North Lakes declaring it to be the Sight of the new hospital.Maybe is an eye hospital?

[DiscoMick]

I once had to tell a Thai hotel worker why she should not offer to 'service' the guests.

[travelrover]

I once had to tell a Thai hotel worker why she should not offer to 'service' the guests.That would only be "inappropriate" for western guests, no one else would see the implication. ;-)

[DiscoMick]

Apparently male western guests were quite interested in her offer.

[Tins]

A website of a business not too far from where Mr Bytemrk lives. It is hard to imagine that a; the web designer is that illiterate, and b; the business owner or one of his customers hasn't at least noticed.

133248

[Tins]

I haven't been bitten by anyones dog since 1965 and it didn't belong to any of you.[biggrin]

Strange. That was when the last dog bite I got was too. Wonder if it was the same dog...

[Colmoore]

And then there's this...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/12/212.jpg

Sorry, it's possible that all Colin's are retentive regarding the proper use of the English language
Col

[cuppabillytea]

Strange. That was when the last dog bite I got was too. Wonder if it was the same dog...

Was it an Australian Wire Haired Terrier named Pat?

[Tins]

Was it an Australian Wire Haired Terrier named Pat?

It was a Pomeranian crossed with a mincing machine called Timmy. Close enough?

[cuppabillytea]

It was a Pomeranian crossed with a mincing machine called Timmy. Close enough?

Spose. They'd be identical in the pitch dark.

[Tins]

Spose. They'd be identical in the pitch dark.

Probably hurt the same. Well, I dunno. In 1965 I was twelve. Mercurochrome was a wonder drug back then. Still hurt though.

[V8Ian]

Was it an Australian Wire Haired Terrier named Pat?


It was a Pomeranian crossed with a mincing machine called Timmy. Close enough?
Canine cousins. [bigwhistle]

[Tins]

Canine cousins. [bigwhistle]

Buggers still bite.

[jerryd]

Here's how to learn Irish in four easy words...[wink11]

Say these four words and then when you can remember them, say them quickly [bigwhistle]

Whale , oil , beef , hooked .