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perchance · 03-04-2011, 11:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Burgette

Let's not do the phonetics thingy. It seems to me that many of our members are from some place where English is not the first language. Most do an admirable job of coming close enough. Remember, this silly language is full of idiosyncrasies.

A great scribe once spelled "fish" as GHOTI. It's our language.

the gh = f as in rouGH
the o = i as in wOmen
the ti = sh as in naTIon

Do not place too much importance on the spelling of a word. The more important thing in understanding English is the sound.
Here are five words that end in "ough". In each word, the "ough" has a different pronunciation:

bough rhymes with cow
cough rhymes with off
rough rhymes with puff
though rhymes with Jo
through rhymes with too

There goes phonetics right down the tubes.

Many words have exactly the same spelling but are pronounced differently when the meaning is different. These words are called "homographs". Here are some examples:

bow (noun: front of ship) rhymes with cow
bow (noun: fancy knot) rhymes with go
lead (verb: to guide) rhymes with feed
lead (noun: metal) rhymes with fed
wind (noun: airflow) rhymes with pinned
wind (verb: to turn) rhymes with find

Many words have different spellings but are pronounced exactly the same. These words are called "homophones". Here are some examples:

sea, see
for, four
hear, here
one, won
knight, night
him, hymn
to, too, two

How in the world could anyone that hasn't spoken English their whole life ever hope to get a grasp on this silliness. Good job mods on allowing the worldwide membership of CF to poke a little fun at our wild, wacky language.

Wild and wacky? How about" It was brillig and the slithy tove did gimble and gyr about the wabe". Now that is some wacky english.

Strait Shooter · 03-04-2011, 11:20

Wow, quite the thread.

I didn't ever expect to see this type of discussion on Cruisers Forum.
You're asking for censorship? Amazing!

Try to accept the world and its peoples as they are and enjoy the journey.

Wow......

Bill Burgette · 03-04-2011, 11:23

Quote:

It was brillig and the slithy tove did gimble and gyr about the wabe

`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

Way to go Perchance, you almost got it right. One of my favorite Lewis Carroll works and I had to mesmerize it in grade school. I was spellbound.

With kindest regards to Richard Brinsley Sheridan' and Mrs. Malaprop.

SaucySailoress · 03-04-2011, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by perchance

Wild and wacky? How about" It was brillig and the slithy tove did gimble and gyr about the wabe". Now that is some wacky english.

To be fair, Lewis Carroll was smoking his hookah when he wrote it...

Blue Stocking · 03-04-2011, 11:46

Thank you sv,

I did say he was studying the subject

ty.gregory · 03-04-2011, 13:46

All my spelling errors are typos. All my typos are due to bad eyesight. My bad eyesight is due to all my self-gratification as a young man. Mock me if you must... Or, maybe, we can just go on with out lives and forgive each other our short-comings. What an asine conversation.

**noelex 77** · 03-04-2011, 14:05

Wat u meen I spel gud.

If you can understand the meaning, in a predominantly technical discussion, what does it matter? Many of the participants do not have English as their first language.
This is not an exam or an English literature assignment.

**hummingway** · 03-04-2011, 14:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by ty.gregory

All my spelling errors are typos. All my typos are due to bad eyesight. My bad eyesight is due to all my self-gratification as a young man. Mock me if you must... Or, maybe, we can just go on with out lives and forgive each other our short-comings. What an asine conversation.

I presume you meant donkey-like and not having to do with an ancient Greek town?

Doesn't this make you question your own participation?

perchance · 03-04-2011, 14:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Burgette

`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

Way to go Perchance, you almost got it right. One of my favorite Lewis Carroll works and I had to mesmerize it in grade school. I was spellbound.

With kindest regards to Richard Brinsley Sheridan' and Mrs. Malaprop.

One of the reasons I love the English language.

doug86 · 03-04-2011, 14:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by ty.gregory

Or, maybe, we can just go on with out lives

(bold added for emphasis)

How, dear sir, are we to go on with out lives? Are you suggesting we come out of the closet? Are you without a life? Should we get a life? WTF?

Oh, perhaps the misspelling and/or typo leaves the meaning of your post un-discoverable to the reader? Or, at the very least, open to an incorrect interpretation?

**Andy R** · 03-04-2011, 14:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by ty.gregory

My bad eyesight is due to all my self-gratification as a young man.

Now I no y my site continues to get worse!

I think this is a pretty funny tongue and cheek discussion myself. Lets keep it light hearted...

perchance · 03-04-2011, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by ty.gregory

All my spelling errors are typos. All my typos are due to bad eyesight. My bad eyesight is due to all my self-gratification as a young man. Mock me if you must... Or, maybe, we can just go on with out lives and forgive each other our short-comings. What an asine conversation.

I gave up self gratification when I needed glasses.