schools war on slang

[Carmen]

Good grief,
now we have a 'war on slang'
this is indeed a brave new initiative,
to actually wipe out the terror of NZ slang
and eliminate the "grunt" from our culture.
;-D
Will eliminating 4 letter words such as
'yeah' actually achieve their desired outcome of improving manners ?
Article :-

Yeah is a four-letter word as schools declare war on slang
06 June 2004
By LIBBY MIDDLEBROOK

Teachers are about to wipe out slang in our schools. Yeah, right.

Well, kinda. At least two schools have introduced zero-tolerance policies
over the expressions "yep" and "yeah".

Pt Chevalier School is cracking down on the use of the words in the
classroom in a bid to eliminate "grunt" culture and improve student
behaviour.

The central Auckland primary school has placed signs throughout its
classrooms displaying its preferred expression of agreement - "yes".
Teachers have also been instructed to correct any child who says "yep" or
"yeah" and to show a good example by eliminating the words from their
vocabularies.

Nelson's St Paul's Catholic Primary School is also striving for a language
revolution, in which colloquial expressions such as "dunno", "nufink",
"gonna" and "yep" would be permanently discarded in favour of words such as
"don't know", "nothing", "going to" and "yes".

The school's campaign means teachers are expected to set a good example as
well as correct students' speech during school time, in a bid to improve
manners and curb the language of young tearaways.

"We'll say every now and again in the staffroom that (teachers' language
has) slipped back, and let's try and get on top of it," said St Paul's
principal Margaret Jones, who blames the deterioration in spoken English on
television, text messaging and movies.

Pt Chevalier School principal Sandra Aitken said its "Yes Factor" campaign
was introduced after student use of "yep" and "yeah" began to grate with
some teachers. The idea was to teach students about respect and prevent the
slang terms from being ingrained in their language.

"Yeah, I mean yes . . . look, I'm saying it now. We probably all slip back
now and again."

Dr Cathy Wylie, chief researcher at the New Zealand Council for Educational
Research, said there were no studies to suggest informal pronunciation of
the English language could impact on student performance.

"I'm not sure I can give you any sensible comment, y'know? Oh goodness,
listen to me. There are things that (the school) would get better mileage
from," said Wylie, a specialist in student learning and head of the
Competent Children study.

Havelock North Primary School principal Paul Bremer was relaxed about slang
being used in school, as long as it was not included in written work.

"Children must feel relaxed when communicating freely. It's important we get
their ideas out, rather than language, at times."

Auckland Primary Principals' Association president Anne Malcolm said schools
were entitled to develop rules in consultation with parents and the
community.

"If a student is 'yep, yep, yepping', sometimes I'll say 'dogs yep, people
say yes'."

Tom Nicholson, an education professor at the University of Auckland's School
of Education, said teachers were often concerned about children's language
pronunciation.

He said it was important for pupils to understand the differences between
formal and informal English and when it was acceptable to use colloquial
language.

Many children included slang in their written schoolwork without realising
it may be inappropriate.

"I was talking to some teachers last week and they were concerned about
kids' pronunciation being sloppy and it affecting school work." said
Nicholson.

"But I don't have any real problem with yep or yeah, because I say it all
the time."

Meanwhile, Auckland mother Michelle Farquhar supported Pt Chevalier School's
campaign to stamp out the expressions "yeah" and "yep", as she was too busy
to correct her children's language at home.

"If they're prepared to help, then yeah, yeah, I'm all for it," said
Farquhar, who has two children at the school.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2932174a11,00.html

[Nick]

Post by Carmen
Good grief,
now we have a 'war on slang'
this is indeed a brave new initiative,
to actually wipe out the terror of NZ slang
and eliminate the "grunt" from our culture.
;-D
Will eliminating 4 letter words such as
'yeah' actually achieve their desired outcome of improving manners ?
Article :-
Yeah is a four-letter word as schools declare war on slang
06 June 2004
By LIBBY MIDDLEBROOK
Teachers are about to wipe out slang in our schools. Yeah, right.
Well, kinda. At least two schools have introduced zero-tolerance policies
over the expressions "yep" and "yeah".
Pt Chevalier School is cracking down on the use of the words in the
classroom in a bid to eliminate "grunt" culture and improve student
behaviour.
The central Auckland primary school has placed signs throughout its
classrooms displaying its preferred expression of agreement - "yes".
Teachers have also been instructed to correct any child who says "yep" or
"yeah" and to show a good example by eliminating the words from their
vocabularies.
Nelson's St Paul's Catholic Primary School is also striving for a language
revolution, in which colloquial expressions such as "dunno", "nufink",
"gonna" and "yep" would be permanently discarded in favour of words such as
"don't know", "nothing", "going to" and "yes".
The school's campaign means teachers are expected to set a good example as
well as correct students' speech during school time, in a bid to improve
manners and curb the language of young tearaways.
"We'll say every now and again in the staffroom that (teachers' language
has) slipped back, and let's try and get on top of it," said St Paul's
principal Margaret Jones, who blames the deterioration in spoken English on
television, text messaging and movies.
Pt Chevalier School principal Sandra Aitken said its "Yes Factor" campaign
was introduced after student use of "yep" and "yeah" began to grate with
some teachers. The idea was to teach students about respect and prevent the
slang terms from being ingrained in their language.
"Yeah, I mean yes . . . look, I'm saying it now. We probably all slip back
now and again."
Dr Cathy Wylie, chief researcher at the New Zealand Council for Educational
Research, said there were no studies to suggest informal pronunciation of
the English language could impact on student performance.
"I'm not sure I can give you any sensible comment, y'know? Oh goodness,
listen to me. There are things that (the school) would get better mileage
from," said Wylie, a specialist in student learning and head of the
Competent Children study.
Havelock North Primary School principal Paul Bremer was relaxed about slang
being used in school, as long as it was not included in written work.
"Children must feel relaxed when communicating freely. It's important we get
their ideas out, rather than language, at times."
Auckland Primary Principals' Association president Anne Malcolm said schools
were entitled to develop rules in consultation with parents and the
community.
"If a student is 'yep, yep, yepping', sometimes I'll say 'dogs yep, people
say yes'."
Tom Nicholson, an education professor at the University of Auckland's School
of Education, said teachers were often concerned about children's language
pronunciation.
He said it was important for pupils to understand the differences between
formal and informal English and when it was acceptable to use colloquial
language.
Many children included slang in their written schoolwork without realising
it may be inappropriate.
"I was talking to some teachers last week and they were concerned about
kids' pronunciation being sloppy and it affecting school work." said
Nicholson.
"But I don't have any real problem with yep or yeah, because I say it all
the time."
Meanwhile, Auckland mother Michelle Farquhar supported Pt Chevalier School's
campaign to stamp out the expressions "yeah" and "yep", as she was too busy
to correct her children's language at home.
"If they're prepared to help, then yeah, yeah, I'm all for it," said
Farquhar, who has two children at the school.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2932174a11,00.html

I think it's an excellent idea to get kids to talk properly. To get them
say yes instead of yep. or grunt. I'm in favor of teaching our kids to talk
properly. To try to get rid of the "grunt" surly would be good for a kid.
It would get the child to speak up. To encourage there own esteem. Oh I
know this won't do it on its own, however, any small step.

[Roger Dewhurst]

Post by Nick
I think it's an excellent idea to get kids to talk properly.

Yes. For a start just remember that a kid is a young goat not a young human
even though it may be difficult to tell the difference these days.

R

Post by Nick
To get them
say yes instead of yep. or grunt. I'm in favor of teaching our kids to talk
properly. To try to get rid of the "grunt" surly would be good for a kid.
It would get the child to speak up. To encourage there own esteem. Oh I
know this won't do it on its own, however, any small step.

[Gordon]

Post by Roger Dewhurst

Post by Nick
I think it's an excellent idea to get kids to talk properly.

Yes. For a start just remember that a kid is a young goat not a young human
even though it may be difficult to tell the difference these days.

Classic. Chalk please.

For that sums this thread up so well.

[Adam Cameron]

Post by Roger Dewhurst
Yes. For a start just remember that a kid is a young goat not a young human

No, it means both things. In fact my dictionary lists the "young
person" definition first (marking it with "informal", though).

The thing you might be missing (although I suspect your tongue is in
your cheek), is that this isn't a classroom, it's Usenet. So using
informal terms is completely acceptable.

Post by Roger Dewhurst
even though it may be difficult to tell the difference these days.

I think that comment is probably indicative of your failing memory,
due to increasing age, as much as it's anything else?

Adam

[Gordon]

Post by Nick
think it's an excellent idea to get kids to talk properly. To get them
say yes instead of yep. or grunt. I'm in favor of teaching our kids to talk
properly. To try to get rid of the "grunt" surly would be good for a kid.
It would get the child to speak up. To encourage there own esteem. Oh I
know this won't do it on its own, however, any small step.

For teenage boys you are on the wrong track. For they do not, in general,
waffle on about how the feel.

[t***@texasremovethisbit.usa.com]

On Mon, 7 Jun 2004 00:59:12 +1200, "Carmen" <***@hotmail.com>
wrote:
[msge snipped]

Post by Carmen
Good grief,
now we have a 'war on slang'
this is indeed a brave new initiative,
to actually wipe out the terror of NZ slang
and eliminate the "grunt" from our culture.
;-D
Will eliminating 4 letter words such as
'yeah' actually achieve their desired outcome of improving manners ?

Manners as well as discipline, begins in the home.


Cath

[Brad Anton]

Post by Carmen
Good grief,
now we have a 'war on slang'
this is indeed a brave new initiative,
to actually wipe out the terror of NZ slang
and eliminate the "grunt" from our culture.
;-D
Will eliminating 4 letter words such as
'yeah' actually achieve their desired outcome of improving manners ?

Haven't times changed? I remember my grandmother telling me that she was
scolded at school for splitting infinitives and ending sentences with
prepositions. Trying to change/alter the speed of change of contemporary
speaking styles is like trying to stop the tide coming in. It has been
suggested that the origin of the word 'yes' comes from "Yea + si" . That
said, it would seem that 'yeah' sounds more like how it was originally
pronounced. The real question is, of course, - does it really matter if
English changes to the point where your kids don't sound like you ( want
them to )do?
Brad

[akm]

Post by Brad Anton

Post by Carmen
Good grief,
now we have a 'war on slang'
this is indeed a brave new initiative,
to actually wipe out the terror of NZ slang
and eliminate the "grunt" from our culture.
;-D
Will eliminating 4 letter words such as
'yeah' actually achieve their desired outcome of improving manners ?

Haven't times changed? I remember my grandmother telling me that she was
scolded at school for splitting infinitives and ending sentences with
prepositions. Trying to change/alter the speed of change of contemporary
speaking styles is like trying to stop the tide coming in. It has been
suggested that the origin of the word 'yes' comes from "Yea + si" . That
said, it would seem that 'yeah' sounds more like how it was originally
pronounced. The real question is, of course, - does it really matter if
English changes to the point where your kids don't sound like you ( want
them to )do?
Brad

It matters a bit if they can't comprehend the English used by those who
hold power over them. Social welfare brochures probably won't be
translated into lower-class teenage slang for some years yet.

[Murray Sutherland]

Post by akm

Post by Brad Anton

Post by Carmen
Good grief,
now we have a 'war on slang'
this is indeed a brave new initiative,
to actually wipe out the terror of NZ slang
and eliminate the "grunt" from our culture.
;-D
Will eliminating 4 letter words such as
'yeah' actually achieve their desired outcome of improving manners ?

Haven't times changed? I remember my grandmother telling me that she was
scolded at school for splitting infinitives and ending sentences with
prepositions. Trying to change/alter the speed of change of contemporary
speaking styles is like trying to stop the tide coming in. It has been
suggested that the origin of the word 'yes' comes from "Yea + si" . That
said, it would seem that 'yeah' sounds more like how it was originally
pronounced. The real question is, of course, - does it really matter if
English changes to the point where your kids don't sound like you ( want
them to )do?
Brad

It matters a bit if they can't comprehend the English used by those who
hold power over them. Social welfare brochures probably won't be
translated into lower-class teenage slang for some years yet.

WINZ has wordsmiths (committies no less) that evaluate much of the
legaleese that they need to pass on to clients in as plain an enlish as
is practicable (to cover as wide a demographic as possible, including
people who have difficulty with english) and they still have trouble
understanding what is writen on the documents.

[Agnes Lovejoy Prune]

Post by Brad Anton

Post by Carmen
Good grief,
now we have a 'war on slang'
this is indeed a brave new initiative,
to actually wipe out the terror of NZ slang
and eliminate the "grunt" from our culture.
;-D
Will eliminating 4 letter words such as
'yeah' actually achieve their desired outcome of improving manners ?

Haven't times changed? I remember my grandmother telling me that she was
scolded at school for splitting infinitives and ending sentences with
prepositions. Trying to change/alter the speed of change of contemporary
speaking styles is like trying to stop the tide coming in. It has been
suggested that the origin of the word 'yes' comes from "Yea + si" . That
said, it would seem that 'yeah' sounds more like how it was originally
pronounced. The real question is, of course, - does it really matter if
English changes to the point where your kids don't sound like you ( want
them to )do?
Brad

School is a good place to learn the *right* way to speak. There are
situations where it is important to be able to use language clearly, in
a way that is slang-free and grammatical if one wishes to be taken
seriously. It's a bit like learning to use a knife and fork adequately.
Even if a person eats with his fingers 99% of the time there may well
come a day when he is invited to a formal function and if he doesn't
know how to behave he will make a fool of himself and probably feel
humiliated.

Imagine getting a job which you can do really well, then you get
promoted to the point where you have to go to company functions and you
haven't a clue how to behave since all you have ever known was slang,
grunting and shoving burgers into your face with your hands!

A L P

[Brad Anton]

Post by Agnes Lovejoy Prune

Post by Brad Anton

Post by Carmen
Good grief,
now we have a 'war on slang'
this is indeed a brave new initiative,
to actually wipe out the terror of NZ slang
and eliminate the "grunt" from our culture.
;-D
Will eliminating 4 letter words such as
'yeah' actually achieve their desired outcome of improving manners ?

Haven't times changed? I remember my grandmother telling me that she was
scolded at school for splitting infinitives and ending sentences with
prepositions. Trying to change/alter the speed of change of contemporary
speaking styles is like trying to stop the tide coming in. It has been
suggested that the origin of the word 'yes' comes from "Yea + si" . That
said, it would seem that 'yeah' sounds more like how it was originally
pronounced. The real question is, of course, - does it really matter if
English changes to the point where your kids don't sound like you ( want
them to )do?
Brad

School is a good place to learn the *right* way to speak. There are
situations where it is important to be able to use language clearly, in
a way that is slang-free and grammatical if one wishes to be taken
seriously. It's a bit like learning to use a knife and fork adequately.
Even if a person eats with his fingers 99% of the time there may well
come a day when he is invited to a formal function and if he doesn't
know how to behave he will make a fool of himself and probably feel
humiliated.
Imagine getting a job which you can do really well, then you get
promoted to the point where you have to go to company functions and you
haven't a clue how to behave since all you have ever known was slang,
grunting and shoving burgers into your face with your hands!
A L P

That's a fair point ALP, learning the value and place of different spoken
registers IS important. If the purpose of this new directive is to make the
students aware of other ways of answering in the affirmative - all fine and
well. However, if the school authorities think they're going to successfully
stop children from sounding like their peers, they're going to be sorely
disappointed.
Brad

[Brad Anton]

Post by Brad Anton

Post by Agnes Lovejoy Prune

Post by Brad Anton

Post by Carmen
Good grief,
now we have a 'war on slang'
this is indeed a brave new initiative,
to actually wipe out the terror of NZ slang
and eliminate the "grunt" from our culture.
;-D
Will eliminating 4 letter words such as
'yeah' actually achieve their desired outcome of improving manners ?

Haven't times changed? I remember my grandmother telling me that she was
scolded at school for splitting infinitives and ending sentences with
prepositions. Trying to change/alter the speed of change of contemporary
speaking styles is like trying to stop the tide coming in. It has been
suggested that the origin of the word 'yes' comes from "Yea + si" . That
said, it would seem that 'yeah' sounds more like how it was originally
pronounced. The real question is, of course, - does it really matter if
English changes to the point where your kids don't sound like you ( want
them to )do?
Brad

School is a good place to learn the *right* way to speak. There are
situations where it is important to be able to use language clearly, in
a way that is slang-free and grammatical if one wishes to be taken
seriously. It's a bit like learning to use a knife and fork adequately.
Even if a person eats with his fingers 99% of the time there may well
come a day when he is invited to a formal function and if he doesn't
know how to behave he will make a fool of himself and probably feel
humiliated.
Imagine getting a job which you can do really well, then you get
promoted to the point where you have to go to company functions and you
haven't a clue how to behave since all you have ever known was slang,
grunting and shoving burgers into your face with your hands!
A L P

That's a fair point ALP, learning the value and place of different spoken
registers IS important. If the purpose of this new directive is to make the
students aware of other ways of answering in the affirmative - all fine and
well. However, if the school authorities think they're going to successfully
stop children from sounding like their peers, they're going to be sorely
disappointed.
Brad

As testimony to the decay/progress of the English language - follow this
link:

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/06/1086460175666.html

Brad

[Ashley]

Post by Brad Anton
As testimony to the decay/progress of the English language - follow this
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/06/1086460175666.html

ROTFL! I've never read the Iliad, and I'm not much of a fan of txting. But
put em together and you've got a gem! I love it!

'Muse, wot hapnd wiv Achilles?' cracked me up. Like. ;-)

[Agnes Lovejoy Prune]

Post by Brad Anton

Post by Agnes Lovejoy Prune

Post by Brad Anton

Post by Carmen
Good grief,
now we have a 'war on slang'
this is indeed a brave new initiative,
to actually wipe out the terror of NZ slang
and eliminate the "grunt" from our culture.
;-D
Will eliminating 4 letter words such as
'yeah' actually achieve their desired outcome of improving manners ?

Haven't times changed? I remember my grandmother telling me that she was
scolded at school for splitting infinitives and ending sentences with
prepositions. Trying to change/alter the speed of change of contemporary
speaking styles is like trying to stop the tide coming in. It has been
suggested that the origin of the word 'yes' comes from "Yea + si" . That
said, it would seem that 'yeah' sounds more like how it was originally
pronounced. The real question is, of course, - does it really matter if
English changes to the point where your kids don't sound like you ( want
them to )do?
Brad

School is a good place to learn the *right* way to speak. There are
situations where it is important to be able to use language clearly, in
a way that is slang-free and grammatical if one wishes to be taken
seriously. It's a bit like learning to use a knife and fork adequately.
Even if a person eats with his fingers 99% of the time there may well
come a day when he is invited to a formal function and if he doesn't
know how to behave he will make a fool of himself and probably feel
humiliated.
Imagine getting a job which you can do really well, then you get
promoted to the point where you have to go to company functions and you
haven't a clue how to behave since all you have ever known was slang,
grunting and shoving burgers into your face with your hands!
A L P

That's a fair point ALP, learning the value and place of different spoken
registers IS important. If the purpose of this new directive is to make the
students aware of other ways of answering in the affirmative - all fine and
well. However, if the school authorities think they're going to successfully
stop children from sounding like their peers, they're going to be sorely
disappointed.
Brad

When I was young we always had at least 2 languages - and we were
"monolingual" (English)!

A L P

[Gordon]

Post by Brad Anton
However, if the school authorities think they're going to successfully
stop children from sounding like their peers, they're going to be sorely
disappointed.

And so we go to the polticians. What do we hear....

[Gordon]

Post by Agnes Lovejoy Prune
Imagine getting a job which you can do really well, then you get
promoted to the point where you have to go to company functions and you
haven't a clue how to behave since all you have ever known was slang,
grunting and shoving burgers into your face with your hands!

The Peter Princple, heard of it?

[Gordon]

Post by Agnes Lovejoy Prune
Even if a person eats with his fingers 99% of the time there may well
come a day when he is invited to a formal function and if he doesn't
know how to behave he will make a fool of himself and probably feel
humiliated.

Why? Both result in the person being fed.

[Matthew Poole]

*SNIP*

Post by Brad Anton
pronounced. The real question is, of course, - does it really matter if
English changes to the point where your kids don't sound like you ( want
them to )do?

I think the point is more that it's unusual for a language to mutate to
the point of incomprehensibility within the space of a generation.
Gradual changes are expected, but _I_ have difficulty understanding some
of what people only 10 years my junior are trying to say.

There's also the question of the near-total disregard for basic grammar
which is now pervasive. It's something that seems to have started with
people who're now around the 30 mark, but it's getting worse. Reversing
that sad trend would be good!

[Newsman]

Post by Matthew Poole
*SNIP*

Post by Brad Anton
pronounced. The real question is, of course, - does it really matter if
English changes to the point where your kids don't sound like you ( want
them to )do?

I think the point is more that it's unusual for a language to mutate to
the point of incomprehensibility within the space of a generation.
Gradual changes are expected, but _I_ have difficulty understanding some
of what people only 10 years my junior are trying to say.

Happened to me today in the local New World,

Friendlylad at the checkout: "Zz'ghaaahgn?"

Me: "Pardon?"

Lad: "Zz'ghaaahgn?"

Me: "Oh...fine".

In his own grunt-speak he'd essayed, "How's it going".

Post by Matthew Poole
There's also the question of the near-total disregard for basic grammar
which is now pervasive. It's something that seems to have started with
people who're now around the 30 mark, but it's getting worse. Reversing
that sad trend would be good!

People do need to care more but where pride in mediocrity holds sway
there's little hope.

[Gordon]

Post by Carmen
Good grief,
now we have a 'war on slang'

Like the war on terrorism, it will be not won, until people realise that
slang, read the cutting edge of language, has always been with us.

The African US OF A fols, as they are now called, have been the leaders
for along time.

Personally, as long I can understand the speaker in in a language I speak,
I care not. Language is about communication, not Polticial Correctness.

[Carmen]

Post by Gordon

Post by Carmen
Good grief,
now we have a 'war on slang'

Like the war on terrorism, it will be not won, until people realise that
slang, read the cutting edge of language, has always been with us.
The African US OF A fols, as they are now called, have been the leaders
for along time.
Personally, as long I can understand the speaker in in a language I speak,
I care not. Language is about communication, not Polticial Correctness.

Good comment

[akm]

Post by Carmen

Post by Gordon

Post by Carmen
Good grief,
now we have a 'war on slang'

Like the war on terrorism, it will be not won, until people realise that
slang, read the cutting edge of language, has always been with us.
The African US OF A fols, as they are now called, have been the leaders
for along time.
Personally, as long I can understand the speaker in in a language I speak,
I care not. Language is about communication, not Polticial Correctness.

Good comment

Good comment indeed. And this is exactly why we have to ensure that
good English is taught in the schools, so that children can communicate
with the rest of the world instead of speaking only local slang to each
other.

[brundlefly]

Post by akm
Good comment indeed. And this is exactly why we have to ensure that
good English is taught in the schools, so that children can communicate
with the rest of the world instead of speaking only local slang to each
other.

The rest of the world speaks 6800 languages.
1113 million speak Chinese, 372 million speak English.
Local slang is the first words you should learn in most places, they are
common and useful words.
Its best to learn them from children.

[akm]

Post by brundlefly

Post by akm
Good comment indeed. And this is exactly why we have to ensure that
good English is taught in the schools, so that children can communicate
with the rest of the world instead of speaking only local slang to each
other.

The rest of the world speaks 6800 languages.
1113 million speak Chinese, 372 million speak English.
Local slang is the first words you should learn in most places, they are
common and useful words.
Its best to learn them from children.

Our schools are not there to educate the children in temporary fads, nor
to exclude them from associating with the educated.

Incidentally, local slang has never helped me much in the places where
I've travelled. Maybe it could be useful to someone travelling the
world's pubs and brothels, but slang does not get you far with
newspapers, railway systems and the multitude of other formal occasions
when a more decent register is demanded.

[samg]

Post by brundlefly
The rest of the world speaks 6800 languages.
1113 million speak Chinese, 372 million speak English.
Local slang is the first words you should learn in most places, they are
common and useful words.
Its best to learn them from children.

er, Chinese isnt a language.

[akm]

Post by samg

Post by brundlefly
The rest of the world speaks 6800 languages.
1113 million speak Chinese, 372 million speak English.
Local slang is the first words you should learn in most places, they are
common and useful words.
Its best to learn them from children.

er, Chinese isnt a language.

I'm guessing that you're thinking of what Chinese people speak: dialects
of the Chinese language, which does exist. The Beijing dialect (which
some call 'Mandarin,' even though it isn't) is now spoken across all of
China, in addition to dialects native to those parts.

You'll find similar situations in Europe with e.g. French, German and
Italian, all of which have a standard form, plus local dialects.
English-speaking governments no longer entertain the idea of a dialect
and accent common to all - regional insularity in the guise of
uniqueness and diversity.

[brundlefly]

Post by samg

Post by brundlefly
The rest of the world speaks 6800 languages.
1113 million speak Chinese, 372 million speak English.
Local slang is the first words you should learn in most places, they are
common and useful words.
Its best to learn them from children.

er, Chinese isnt a language.

Oh in that case they will immediately be able to understand proper English
as taught in schools in New Zealand but not slang.

[Nicolaas Hawkins]

Post by brundlefly

Post by samg

Post by brundlefly
The rest of the world speaks 6800 languages.
1113 million speak Chinese, 372 million speak English.
Local slang is the first words you should learn in most places, they are
common and useful words.
Its best to learn them from children.

er, Chinese isnt a language.

Oh in that case they will immediately be able to understand proper English
as taught in schools in New Zealand but not slang.

"Proper English" has not been taught in New Zealand schools for at least
twenty years.
--
Regards,
Nicolaas.

Distribution site for 2004 Pricelessware CD.
E-Mail me for details. ***@top.net.nz



- Heaven hath no rage like love to hatred turned.

[Newsman]

On Wed, 9 Jun 2004 19:58:53 +1200, Nicolaas Hawkins

Post by Nicolaas Hawkins

Post by brundlefly

Post by samg

Post by brundlefly
The rest of the world speaks 6800 languages.
1113 million speak Chinese, 372 million speak English.
Local slang is the first words you should learn in most places, they are
common and useful words.
Its best to learn them from children.

er, Chinese isnt a language.

Oh in that case they will immediately be able to understand proper English
as taught in schools in New Zealand but not slang.

"Proper English" has not been taught in New Zealand schools for at least
twenty years.
--

Or do you really mean that *good* English hasn't been *spoken* in New
Zealand for at least twenty years?

I saw Stephen Fleming in a TV commercial this evening. He is a classic
example of one of New Zealand's big, big problems: poor, slurred
diction; it's as if he or the admen don't care whether he's
intelligible or not.

He's supposed to be *selling* a product so why speak in this lazy,
indistinct manner? It comes across as slovenly and strongly conveys a
sense of lackadaisical mediocrity. The clear message to me is,
"Couldn't care less personality, couldn't care less manufacturer".

[Brad Anton]

Post by Newsman
I saw Stephen Fleming in a TV commercial this evening. He is a classic
example of one of New Zealand's big, big problems: poor, slurred
diction; it's as if he or the admen don't care whether he's
intelligible or not.
He's supposed to be *selling* a product so why speak in this lazy,
indistinct manner? It comes across as slovenly and strongly conveys a
sense of lackadaisical mediocrity. The clear message to me is,
"Couldn't care less personality, couldn't care less manufacturer".

But isn't this a perfect refelection of how the team plays?
Brad

[Newsman]

On Wed, 9 Jun 2004 21:01:38 +1000, "Brad Anton"

Post by Brad Anton

Post by Newsman
I saw Stephen Fleming in a TV commercial this evening. He is a classic
example of one of New Zealand's big, big problems: poor, slurred
diction; it's as if he or the admen don't care whether he's
intelligible or not.
He's supposed to be *selling* a product so why speak in this lazy,
indistinct manner? It comes across as slovenly and strongly conveys a
sense of lackadaisical mediocrity. The clear message to me is,
"Couldn't care less personality, couldn't care less manufacturer".

But isn't this a perfect refelection of how the team plays?

Ooooh! Bit harsh, isn't it?

[Nicolaas Hawkins]

Post by Newsman
Or do you really mean that *good* English hasn't been *spoken* in New
Zealand for at least twenty years?

That, also.
--
Regards,
Nicolaas.

Distribution site for 2004 Pricelessware CD.
E-Mail me for details. ***@top.net.nz



- Beware of the opinion of someone bereft of facts.

[akm]

Post by Newsman
On Wed, 9 Jun 2004 19:58:53 +1200, Nicolaas Hawkins

Post by Nicolaas Hawkins

Post by brundlefly

Post by samg

Post by brundlefly
The rest of the world speaks 6800 languages.
1113 million speak Chinese, 372 million speak English.
Local slang is the first words you should learn in most places, they are
common and useful words.
Its best to learn them from children.

er, Chinese isnt a language.

Oh in that case they will immediately be able to understand proper English
as taught in schools in New Zealand but not slang.

"Proper English" has not been taught in New Zealand schools for at least
twenty years.
--

Or do you really mean that *good* English hasn't been *spoken* in New
Zealand for at least twenty years?
I saw Stephen Fleming in a TV commercial this evening. He is a classic
example of one of New Zealand's big, big problems: poor, slurred
diction; it's as if he or the admen don't care whether he's
intelligible or not.
He's supposed to be *selling* a product so why speak in this lazy,
indistinct manner? It comes across as slovenly and strongly conveys a
sense of lackadaisical mediocrity. The clear message to me is,
"Couldn't care less personality, couldn't care less manufacturer".

It's not a speech defect. It's 'special' and a celebration of our
nation's diversity :)

[Newsman]

Post by akm

Post by Newsman
On Wed, 9 Jun 2004 19:58:53 +1200, Nicolaas Hawkins

Post by Nicolaas Hawkins

Post by brundlefly

Post by samg

Post by brundlefly
The rest of the world speaks 6800 languages.
1113 million speak Chinese, 372 million speak English.
Local slang is the first words you should learn in most places, they are
common and useful words.
Its best to learn them from children.

er, Chinese isnt a language.

Oh in that case they will immediately be able to understand proper English
as taught in schools in New Zealand but not slang.

"Proper English" has not been taught in New Zealand schools for at least
twenty years.
--

Or do you really mean that *good* English hasn't been *spoken* in New
Zealand for at least twenty years?
I saw Stephen Fleming in a TV commercial this evening. He is a classic
example of one of New Zealand's big, big problems: poor, slurred
diction; it's as if he or the admen don't care whether he's
intelligible or not.
He's supposed to be *selling* a product so why speak in this lazy,
indistinct manner? It comes across as slovenly and strongly conveys a
sense of lackadaisical mediocrity. The clear message to me is,
"Couldn't care less personality, couldn't care less manufacturer".

It's not a speech defect. It's 'special' and a celebration of our
nation's diversity :)

The moment I see those mindless, degenerate weasel terms, "celebrate"
and "diversity" - usually in the context of this country's soured and
clapped-out political correctness - I know that New Zealand has dug
itself just a little bit deeper into the intractable bugger's muddle
that is entirely of its own making.

You know I'm right.

[akm]

Post by Newsman

Post by akm

Post by Newsman
On Wed, 9 Jun 2004 19:58:53 +1200, Nicolaas Hawkins

Post by Nicolaas Hawkins

Post by brundlefly

Post by samg

Post by brundlefly
The rest of the world speaks 6800 languages.
1113 million speak Chinese, 372 million speak English.
Local slang is the first words you should learn in most places, they are
common and useful words.
Its best to learn them from children.

er, Chinese isnt a language.

Oh in that case they will immediately be able to understand proper English
as taught in schools in New Zealand but not slang.

"Proper English" has not been taught in New Zealand schools for at least
twenty years.
--

Or do you really mean that *good* English hasn't been *spoken* in New
Zealand for at least twenty years?
I saw Stephen Fleming in a TV commercial this evening. He is a classic
example of one of New Zealand's big, big problems: poor, slurred
diction; it's as if he or the admen don't care whether he's
intelligible or not.
He's supposed to be *selling* a product so why speak in this lazy,
indistinct manner? It comes across as slovenly and strongly conveys a
sense of lackadaisical mediocrity. The clear message to me is,
"Couldn't care less personality, couldn't care less manufacturer".

It's not a speech defect. It's 'special' and a celebration of our
nation's diversity :)

The moment I see those mindless, degenerate weasel terms, "celebrate"
and "diversity" - usually in the context of this country's soured and
clapped-out political correctness - I know that New Zealand has dug
itself just a little bit deeper into the intractable bugger's muddle
that is entirely of its own making.
You know I'm right.

Come now, surely you see the intrinsic value of supplementing our
learned population with inarticulate intellectual sloth? The key to
universal success is to lower the bar!

[Brad Anton]

Post by Nicolaas Hawkins

Post by brundlefly

Post by samg

Post by brundlefly
The rest of the world speaks 6800 languages.
1113 million speak Chinese, 372 million speak English.
Local slang is the first words you should learn in most places, they are
common and useful words.
Its best to learn them from children.

er, Chinese isnt a language.

Oh in that case they will immediately be able to understand proper English
as taught in schools in New Zealand but not slang.

"Proper English" has not been taught in New Zealand schools for at least
twenty years.
--
Regards,
Nicolaas.

Proper English? NO generation of native English speakers has EVER approved
of the standard of English spoken by the following generation. You can bet
your bottom dollar that Shakespeare's parents thought he was mutilating
English. When do you think the zenith of the English language was? I'll
wager the parents of THAT generation lamented the condition of the language
then. Go back far enough and English is Anglo- Norman. It moves, it
changes, it evolves and like it or not there ain't nowt to be done.
Brad

[Carmen]

Post by akm

Post by Carmen

Post by Gordon

Post by Carmen
Good grief,
now we have a 'war on slang'

Like the war on terrorism, it will be not won, until people realise that
slang, read the cutting edge of language, has always been with us.
The African US OF A fols, as they are now called, have been the leaders
for along time.
Personally, as long I can understand the speaker in in a language I speak,
I care not. Language is about communication, not Polticial Correctness.

Good comment

Good comment indeed. And this is exactly why we have to ensure that
good English is taught in the schools, so that children can communicate
with the rest of the world instead of speaking only local slang to each
other.

That is assuming they would want to communicate with the rest of the world,
some are quite cosy in their own little niches

[Newsman]

Post by Gordon

Post by akm

Post by Carmen

Post by Gordon

Post by Carmen
Good grief,
now we have a 'war on slang'

Like the war on terrorism, it will be not won, until people realise that
slang, read the cutting edge of language, has always been with us.
The African US OF A fols, as they are now called, have been the leaders
for along time.
Personally, as long I can understand the speaker in in a language I

speak,

Post by akm

Post by Carmen

Post by Gordon
I care not. Language is about communication, not Polticial Correctness.

Good comment

Good comment indeed. And this is exactly why we have to ensure that
good English is taught in the schools, so that children can communicate
with the rest of the world instead of speaking only local slang to each
other.

That is assuming they would want to communicate with the rest of the world,
some are quite cosy in their own little niches

Who might they be?

[akm]

Post by Gordon

Post by akm

Post by Carmen

Post by Gordon

Post by Carmen
Good grief,
now we have a 'war on slang'

Like the war on terrorism, it will be not won, until people realise that
slang, read the cutting edge of language, has always been with us.
The African US OF A fols, as they are now called, have been the leaders
for along time.
Personally, as long I can understand the speaker in in a language I

speak,

Post by akm

Post by Carmen

Post by Gordon
I care not. Language is about communication, not Polticial Correctness.

Good comment

Good comment indeed. And this is exactly why we have to ensure that
good English is taught in the schools, so that children can communicate
with the rest of the world instead of speaking only local slang to each
other.

That is assuming they would want to communicate with the rest of the world,
some are quite cosy in their own little niches

Their wants are only half of it. There are also our wants to
communicate with them, even if only to pass a sentence.

[Lawrence D¹Oliveiro]

Post by Gordon
Personally, as long I can understand the speaker in in a language I speak,
I care not. Language is about communication, not Polticial Correctness.

Sew longue adze ewe Cannes bee understood, watt duz it matr abowd a phew
little try fling details?

[Brad Anton]

Post by Lawrence D¹Oliveiro

Post by Gordon
Personally, as long I can understand the speaker in in a language I speak,
I care not. Language is about communication, not Polticial Correctness.

Sew longue adze ewe Cannes bee understood, watt duz it matr abowd a phew
little try fling details?

As long as the interlocutor and the interlocutee understand the code it's
fine, otherwise hyyrt cchsyyee nnhdy fo iuf sjjjapp jjskue dhhuuse jsllad.
jsjsyyyclcna!
Brad