Old tmers disease...

[Ricklandia]

When did the word "ESCAPE" become "ECKSCAPE"? (or exscape if you want to make any kind of effort to use the englick language).

Same goes for "ASK" as opposed from "AXE" ...

Just a semi-annual rant from an oldtimer...

[KenshinX]

well to put my word in I think the reason Escape was spelled "esckaped"where ever you saw that is because of gangs. To keep from a conflict growing I'm just gonna say if your in a certain gang you have to put a "k" behind any word with a "C" in it

[Exdamyankee]

EVN WURS, WTF S THS SHT ABT??

I feel your pain, friend. I feel sorry for those folks out there who refuse to use or learn proper English. They will find so many doors closed to them in this society.

Speaking of poor English, if you want to read something truly FUNNY, read the "Chinglish" manuals that come with some Far Eastern imported electronics & toys. If I remember to bring it home from work, I have an instruction sheet for an electric pedometer that will make you howl with laughter!

For more silliness, visit www.engrish.com

[280z1975]

Living in a country where just about everyone speaks 3 languages (dutch, French and English) (and often 4). The TV has English (UK) channels, US programs in English with dutch subtitles, Spanish soap operas... Dutch, German, Italian, French, Belgian-French stations. Engrish is here, but the funny thing is, I have friends here that speak better English than friends back in the US.

Being a native English speaker I have been trying to use my Dutch (Flemish) more often when out here. I know I am speaking like a 10 year old, but I am trying. In the years I lived here so many people are more than happy to use their English to my "benefit" that it's made learning Dutch a bit hard. But I try.

Even here the language of Flemish (which is like Dutch, but sounds different. Think someone from Alabama talking to someone from Wisconson). Differance is here you only have to go about 15 miles for the words to change. Makes learning difficult. Also, a lot of the people who learn Engrish, learn it from TV. The amount of improper usage is implanted with people who proliferate it's usage to those learning around them.

It's happened with me. After living with my wife's Aunt here for two months while we got set up I learned a good bit of Flemish dialect as she didn't speak English. It was good for learning, but I still learned some words that were very 'slang' and it's been hard to break me of their usage.

So in the end, I have a new appreciation for Engrish ... I still remember being 19 and in South Africa. First week I was there with my not so heavy Texas accent ordering a meal a dinner. The girl looked at me like I was speaking Chinese ... since then my accent has reverted to a very neutral tone that leads everyone to question if I am from Texas.

[1 Bravo 6]

Hey there Rick.

You might be an "Old Timer" but I can give you 20 years young fella, which makes me an old fart.

I think I can see where you're coming from though. Correct pronounciation seems to be a thing of the past mate.

It's a bit crook when a T.V. personality/newsreader etc. says Pitcher instead of piCture for instance.

My number one gripe is the incorrect use of the word "MYSELF". You hear it all the time.

As I see it, the older you get, the more likelyhood there is that you'll find things to gripe about.

Rick.

:devious::devious:

[BRE-240Z]

EVN WURS, WTF S THS SHT ABT??

I agree. I must be getting old, too, because seeing the abbreviation ' L O L ' on every forum thread makes me want to smack somebody.

[sakijo]

I think the problem is not so much the talking, but the writing. People tend to write the way they talk, and then it gets all screwed up. I agree that "proper English" (and who knows what THAT is - British, American, Australian, New Zeland) has its place and we should strive to use it when the situation arises, but we all have our own regional dialects too.

I no tink you guys would know what I was talkin about if I wen write da way I talk sometimes.

My biggest gripe: Improper use of the apostrophe.

[dade280]

I dont think it has anything to do with age. I mean G.W says nucular, and i know that guy from American Choppers says axe instead of ask.

[zbane]

Gross mispronunciation and/or misspelling isn't anything new, really.

Who else remembers this particular phrase:

"Whachu takin bout, Willis?"

Still, it is really annoying.

I have heard many professors lament the slow death of the written word. Several classmates have had e-mails returned because they sent atrocious messages (i.e. When I c u in clas, I will ask 4 my payper).

And they wonder why they're not doing well in class.

Sad.

[Walter Moore]

I is absolutely not an age thing. My 14 year old daughter corrects my wife every time that she says "warsh" instead of "wash" (A common mid-western American accent sort of thing.)

[Nissanman]

I read it somewhere, and I'm not making fun of anybody here, of an announcement over a P.A. at a hardware store that went along the lines: -

"Cud summun hep me wit a will barrr??

which I think was,

"Could someone help me with a wheel barrow?"

I have a friend who runs an automotive workshop and he has shown me some of the emails he gets from people enquiring about parts/services etc.

Some of the grammar and spelling is ABYSMAL [ihope I spelt that right].

He categorically refuses to reply to those people:mad:

Unfortunately, the younger generation think it's cool to communicate like that.

It noys the hell out of me:tapemouth

[BRE-240Z]

I read it somewhere, and I'm not making fun of anybody here, of an announcement over a P.A. at a hardware store that went along the lines: -

"Cud summun hep me wit a will barrr??

which I think was,

"Could someone help me with a wheel barrow?"

I have a friend who runs an automotive workshop and he has shown me some of the emails he gets from people enquiring about parts/services etc.

Some of the grammar and spelling is ABYSMAL [ihope I spelt that right].

He categorically refuses to reply to those people:mad:

Unfortunately, the younger generation think it's cool to communicate like that.

It noys the hell out of me:tapemouth

Mispronouncing and misspelling words is a regional and/or educational thing. People who haven't read tend to say words like 'eckscape' because they've never read the word or paid attention to the way that it's spelled. My ex-wife used to use that word, and it drove me wacky.

The other element in play here, as Nissanman mentioned, is the whole 'text messaging' generation. They are so accustomed to communicating with each other in abbreviated fashion that a) they don't know - or care - how to spell and they think that they can communicate with everyone using the same methodology. Maybe I'm wrong, but I see it as another step in the 'dumbing down' of a whole generation.

I work as a systems administrator for a publishing company, so I'm not anti-technology, either.

Another reason to like the Z, right? No computer, no voice telling you what to do, no idiot lights telling you it's time for maintenance. You can change the oil and filters and actually maintain your own car without feeling like you have to take it apart first....and driving it is a much more visceral thrill than you will get in any modern vehicle. And while there is a cell phone in the glove box, don't call me while I'm driving my Z, because I will not answer.......