Comments on: Case of the Missing “i”s: foliage, verbiage, miniature http://www.dailywritingtips.com/case-of-the-missing-is-foliage-verbiage-miniature/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:11:50 -0500 hourly 1 By: chanda http://www.dailywritingtips.com/case-of-the-missing-is-foliage-verbiage-miniature/comment-page-1/#comment-222234 chanda Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:10:07 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/case-of-the-missing-is-foliage-verbiage-miniature/#comment-222234 My point is English did not evolve from slang. The phrase "where are you at" will never be correct grammar, an accent learned through your environment does not make it correct. It's acceptable, but not correct. Of course you accept it because at this point in time, our culture is very lackadaisical with correct, incorrect and everything in between when it comes to the English language. That could someday change. Words and variations of words will be added to the dictionary but words themselves will not be changed to accommodate mispronunciations. My point is English did not evolve from slang. The phrase “where are you at” will never be correct grammar, an accent learned through your environment does not make it correct. It’s acceptable, but not correct. Of course you accept it because at this point in time, our culture is very lackadaisical with correct, incorrect and everything in between when it comes to the English language. That could someday change. Words and variations of words will be added to the dictionary but words themselves will not be changed to accommodate mispronunciations.

]]> By: Karla http://www.dailywritingtips.com/case-of-the-missing-is-foliage-verbiage-miniature/comment-page-1/#comment-221385 Karla Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:07:13 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/case-of-the-missing-is-foliage-verbiage-miniature/#comment-221385 So, chanda, do you still speak the English of the 11th century? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_English) If you did, none of us would understand you (unless one of you is a student of Middle English). :-> Language evolves. As far as "correct pronunciation", that could depend on where in the US you live (if you live in the US). If a Bostonian tells me he "pahks his cah in Hahvid Yahd" I don't think he's pronouncing it "correctly" but I still know what he means. So, chanda, do you still speak the English of the 11th century? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_English) If you did, none of us would understand you (unless one of you is a student of Middle English). :-> Language evolves.

As far as “correct pronunciation”, that could depend on where in the US you live (if you live in the US). If a Bostonian tells me he “pahks his cah in Hahvid Yahd” I don’t think he’s pronouncing it “correctly” but I still know what he means.

]]> By: chanda http://www.dailywritingtips.com/case-of-the-missing-is-foliage-verbiage-miniature/comment-page-1/#comment-221356 chanda Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:07:23 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/case-of-the-missing-is-foliage-verbiage-miniature/#comment-221356 Also, the primary portion of the English language did not derive from a "slang" form of Latin. It was very ridged in meaning and pronunciation. Words were sacred. If you were learning another language, wouldn't you want to pronounce it correctly? Or would you, Karla, make it up to suit your own needs and call your version "correct pronunciation", to eventually be taught to my child as "correct pronunciation"? I would have a problem with that. Also, the primary portion of the English language did not derive from a “slang” form of Latin. It was very ridged in meaning and pronunciation. Words were sacred.
If you were learning another language, wouldn’t you want to pronounce it correctly? Or would you, Karla, make it up to suit your own needs and call your version “correct pronunciation”, to eventually be taught to my child as “correct pronunciation”? I would have a problem with that.

]]> By: chanda http://www.dailywritingtips.com/case-of-the-missing-is-foliage-verbiage-miniature/comment-page-1/#comment-221352 chanda Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:51:57 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/case-of-the-missing-is-foliage-verbiage-miniature/#comment-221352 Incorrect pronunciation is lazy. When lazy makes the rules, good luck. Would President Obama say "min-a-ture"? Correct pronunciation is a measure of intelligence and quality. Incorrect pronunciation is lazy. When lazy makes the rules, good luck. Would President Obama say “min-a-ture”? Correct pronunciation is a measure of intelligence and quality.

]]> By: Shelley http://www.dailywritingtips.com/case-of-the-missing-is-foliage-verbiage-miniature/comment-page-1/#comment-217025 Shelley Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:55:00 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/case-of-the-missing-is-foliage-verbiage-miniature/#comment-217025 what about carriage and marriage as well as a slew of others? kinda like the i before e except after c, excluding weight, height, protein....hmmmm maybe in the long run, it doesnt make any difference, but the most common pronunciation is fo lij what about carriage and marriage as well as a slew of others? kinda like the i before e except after c, excluding weight, height, protein….hmmmm maybe in the long run, it doesnt make any difference, but the most common pronunciation is fo lij

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