Thread: The English Language

Originally Posted by 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 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.

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

Originally Posted by Homestar

'I didn't day your dog bit me'

Now that is a silly statement

Originally Posted by 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 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.

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.

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

Originally Posted by garrycol

Now that is a silly statement

Oops...

Originally Posted by workingonit

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.

Originally Posted by Homestar

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

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