[Naren]

Originally Posted by The Dark Wolf

Really? Interesting... I had only glimpses that others felt this way.

I believe that language in a technical sense is only meaningless sounds. But human cultures have assigned those sounds meanings. Therefore all meaning is stored within humans themselves and we use this complicated system to convey things. Written language is nothing more than meaningless marks on paper. But we assign these symbols with meanings and thus can communicate. One good example of this is that modern English spelling (both American and British) does not reflect the way modern English is spoken. It reflects the way English was spoken hundreds of years ago. For example, the word "knight" is spelled EXACTLY the way it was pronounced 700 years ago. Every single letter was pronounced "k" "ni" "g" "hh" "t" - sounded kind of like German. But now the word is pronounced with no "k", no "g", and no "h" - all that is left is the "n", the "i", and the "t" and the "i" now is the roll-syllable "ai" instead of the original "ih".

So, yeah, I agree with you, Bob. But I have my own extraneous thoughts surrounding that.

[The Dark Wolf]

Originally Posted by metalfiend666

I didn't mean to insult you in any way, and apologise if I did. I just have a sarcastic streak to my nature that I guess doesn't come accross too well written down.

Eh. He's just funny like that

[Naren]

Originally Posted by metalfiend666

I didn't mean to insult you in any way, and apologise if I did. I just have a sarcastic streak to my nature that I guess doesn't come accross too well written down.

I don't doubt you can spell better than a lot of Brits. Are you familier with text speak? Well a lot of kids are starting to spell like that in real life too. Not good for the future really. I know languages change, but I think that's a step too far and I personally find it a lot harder to read.

Yeah, I didn't think you meant to insult me. It's just that I've met quite a few British and Canadians who act as if the British way is the "correct" way to spell things and as if it's closer to the way it's pronounced (for my opinion on that, see the post I just did). And some act as if Americans don't know the way the British spell things or, even worse, think that the British are misspelling things. But that's just not true.

A kind of embarassing story, but... When I was in Junior high, I had a bad habit of using British spelling (kinda like HP Lovecraft, who was an American author in the 20's and 30's who spelled the British way). I did it mostly because over 90% of my favorite authors were British. So all the novels I read were in British spelling. So I think I can spell just as good as an Brit (when it comes down to it, there aren't too many differences in spelling). Now I spell everything the American way (because I'm an American and an American English teacher).

As for the text speak, I agree 100%. There is such a thing called "prescribed grammar" and a part of that is the written language. It is chosen by scholars and governments. When people just start leaving out letters and spelling things however the hell they want, it becomes chaos.

Sorry if I came off a little harsh earlier. Didn't mean to.

[Toshiro]

Okay, this thread now officially has it all. Photos, arguements about metal, more photos, and a conversation about linguistics.

[Naren]

Originally Posted by Toshiro

Okay, this thread now offically has it all. Photos, arguements about metal, more photos, and a conversation about linguistics.

ha ha. I was just thinking that. Just earlier I went through the whole thread and saw the 3-4 page argument about metal near the beginning.

But, when people have something to say, I guess they just say it, whether it's arguments about metal, comments on photos, comments on hair, or a conversation about linguistics.

[Sentient]

Originally Posted by Naren

For example, the word "knight" is spelled EXACTLY the way it was pronounced 700 years ago. Every single letter was pronounced "k" "ni" "g" "hh" "t" - sounded kind of like German. But now the word is pronounced with no "k", no "g", and no "h" - all that is left is the "n", the "i", and the "t" and the "i" now is the roll-syllable "ai" instead of the original "ih".

I actually prefer the pronunciation "kuh-nig'-it", as utilized in the superb Monty Python flick .

[Naren]

Originally Posted by Sentient

I actually prefer the pronunciation "kuh-nig'-it", as utilized in the superb Monty Python flick .

"We're seeking the grail." "Uhm... We've already got one." "What?" "He says they've already got one."

That's a damn funny movie and a damn funny scene, but it's linguistically inaccurate (although closer than the current pronounciation).

Monty Python is awesome. I have 8 episodes of the show. I think the episodes from the first season are funnier than most of the movies.

[metalfiend666]

Originally Posted by Naren

Yeah, I didn't think you meant to insult me. It's just that I've met quite a few British and Canadians who act as if the British way is the "correct" way to spell things and as if it's closer to the way it's pronounced (for my opinion on that, see the post I just did). And some act as if Americans don't know the way the British spell things or, even worse, think that the British are misspelling things. But that's just not true.

A kind of embarassing story, but... When I was in Junior high, I had a bad habit of using British spelling (kinda like HP Lovecraft, who was an American author in the 20's and 30's who spelled the British way). I did it mostly because over 90% of my favorite authors were British. So all the novels I read were in British spelling. So I think I can spell just as good as an Brit (when it comes down to it, there aren't too many differences in spelling). Now I spell everything the American way (because I'm an American and an American English teacher).

As for the text speak, I agree 100%. There is such a thing called "prescribed grammar" and a part of that is the written language. It is chosen by scholars and governments. When people just start leaving out letters and spelling things however the hell they want, it becomes chaos.

Sorry if I came off a little harsh earlier. Didn't mean to.

At least we've cleared that up!

When I was in my first year at secondary school (11-12 years old, I'm afraid I have no idea what the equivalent US grade is), I had an American English teacher. We had to keep reminding her that we were in England and we spell things with u's and ise's and stuff.

Ever seen "Little Briton"? Very funny UK show. The Vicky Pollard sketch is 100% accurate of the little scrotes round my way. "Yeah, but, no, but".

[Drew]

Originally Posted by The Dark Wolf

Now we need Drew to chime in.

Bettr late than never. *flexes*

Frankly, I love British slang. "Arse" has so much more character to it than "ass" - the later just feels dirty, while the former does so with style. It's like Monty Python, I guess; you can say anything with a British accent and it's funny (although, no disrespect to them, they'd probably be just as funny with a Russian accent, lol). I also find myself using "mate" and "bloke" a lot, a habit I picked up over at www.guitarwar.com because like half the site is British.

I also catch myself using British vowels in spelling a lot - colour as opposed to color, etc. They both look about right to me, and if I'm not paying attention (i.e - most of the time) I use them interchangeably.

Either way you look at it, though, "ah-loo-MIN-eee-um" is just retarded.

[D-EJ915]

Well, if you want to be brash and rude, nothing gets the point across like calling somebody an asshole, it's just so rough.