Monthly Archives: May 2013

Why learn to spell correctly? I have a spelling checker

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Anoeska Bronswijk

Many people find spelling unimportant. And if they do find it important, they sometimes still believe there is no need to learn to spell correctly since we have a spelling checker. Therefore, let me illustrate the flaws of this useful … Continue reading →

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Fuck my grammar, Mary

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Ingrid Tieken

And here is another one from Marilyn French’s Our Father. This time an old chestnut. Mary, the middle one (of the legitimate sisters) is discussing feminism with illegitimate and coloured Ronnie: … As long as women have the babies they will … Continue reading →

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The both of you

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Ingrid Tieken

Prescriptivism in literature or films: I’ve already noted a few examples in this blog. Here is another one. It is from Marilyn French‘s novel Our Father (1994). Alex, the first speaker, is one of the three (or four if you include illegitimate … Continue reading →

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New grammar tests in English schools

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Ingrid Tieken

Marilyn Hedges, one of the readers of this blog, asked me to post the following: Formal grammar teaching in English schools stopped in the 1960s, as Anya Luscombe mentioned in her recent talk in Leiden. It seems as if the … Continue reading →

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Koffie’s or Koffies: apostrophe confusion in Dutch

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Anoeska Bronswijk

I came across an interesting use of an apostrophe with a plural in Dutch on my way to Leiden, and wondered what caused this misuse of the apostrophe in the image above. According to the Van Dale dictionary the correct plural … Continue reading →

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Please remember to check out with your public transport chip card

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Anoeska Bronswijk

Twice a week, on my way to and from university, I hear the advice stated above: “Please remember to check out with your public transport chip card”. (The British equivalent of such a card would be the London Oyster card.) … Continue reading →

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It is not you, it is your grammar.

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Carmen Ebner

This is crucial information which can save and change your life and the lives of others. You may be not aware of the impact your use of grammar, spelling and punctuation can have on your future. Texting ur beautiful to … Continue reading →

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Shampoos and Language Usage Reviews

Posted on May 6, 2013 by xhlo

This week, reading English Usage Book reviews, sociological issues to do with language communities, and a couple of blogs on Americanisms/Britishisms, I noticed two things: one is that, for the most part, commentators on the correct usage of English, despite … Continue reading →

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