The latest oddities
SquigPie
04 Jun 2010
Rai, on 4 Jun 2010, 8:35, said:
Quote
In DC, even the Spelling Bee draws protesters
WASHINGTON – The nation's capital always draws its share of protesters, picketing for causes ranging from health care reform to immigration policy.
But spelling bee protesters? They're out here, too.
Four peaceful protesters, some dressed in full-length black and yellow bee costumes, represented the American Literacy Council and the London-based Spelling Society and stood outside the Grand Hyatt on Thursday, where the Scripps National Spelling Bee is being held. Their message was short: Simplify the way we spell words.
Roberta Mahoney, 81, a former Fairfax County, Va. elementary school principal, said the current language obstructs 40 percent of the population from learning how to read, write and spell.
"Our alphabet has 425-plus ways of putting words together in illogical ways," Mahoney said.
The protesting cohort distributed pins to willing passers-by with their logo, "Enuf is enuf. Enough is too much."
According to literature distributed by the group, it makes more sense for "fruit" to be spelled as "froot," "slow" should be "slo," and "heifer" — a word spelled correctly during the first oral round of the bee Thursday by Texas competitor Ramesh Ghanta — should be "hefer."
Meanwhile, inside the hotel's Independence Ballroom, 273 spellers celebrated the complexity of the language in all its glory, correctly spelling words like zaibatsu, vibrissae and biauriculate.
While the protesters could make headway with cell phone texters who routinely swap "u" for "you" and "gr8" for "great," their message may be a harder sell for the Scripps crowd.
Mahoney had trouble gaining traction with at least one bee attendee. New Mexico resident Matthew Evans, 15, a former speller whose sister is participating in the bee this year, reasoned with her that if English spellings were changed, spelling bees would cease to exist.
"If a dictionary lists 'enough' as 'enuf,' the spelling bee goes by the dictionary, therefore all the spelling words are easier to spell, so the spelling bee is gone," Evans said.
"Well," Mahoney replied, "they could pick their own dictionary."
WASHINGTON – The nation's capital always draws its share of protesters, picketing for causes ranging from health care reform to immigration policy.
But spelling bee protesters? They're out here, too.
Four peaceful protesters, some dressed in full-length black and yellow bee costumes, represented the American Literacy Council and the London-based Spelling Society and stood outside the Grand Hyatt on Thursday, where the Scripps National Spelling Bee is being held. Their message was short: Simplify the way we spell words.
Roberta Mahoney, 81, a former Fairfax County, Va. elementary school principal, said the current language obstructs 40 percent of the population from learning how to read, write and spell.
"Our alphabet has 425-plus ways of putting words together in illogical ways," Mahoney said.
The protesting cohort distributed pins to willing passers-by with their logo, "Enuf is enuf. Enough is too much."
According to literature distributed by the group, it makes more sense for "fruit" to be spelled as "froot," "slow" should be "slo," and "heifer" — a word spelled correctly during the first oral round of the bee Thursday by Texas competitor Ramesh Ghanta — should be "hefer."
Meanwhile, inside the hotel's Independence Ballroom, 273 spellers celebrated the complexity of the language in all its glory, correctly spelling words like zaibatsu, vibrissae and biauriculate.
While the protesters could make headway with cell phone texters who routinely swap "u" for "you" and "gr8" for "great," their message may be a harder sell for the Scripps crowd.
Mahoney had trouble gaining traction with at least one bee attendee. New Mexico resident Matthew Evans, 15, a former speller whose sister is participating in the bee this year, reasoned with her that if English spellings were changed, spelling bees would cease to exist.
"If a dictionary lists 'enough' as 'enuf,' the spelling bee goes by the dictionary, therefore all the spelling words are easier to spell, so the spelling bee is gone," Evans said.
"Well," Mahoney replied, "they could pick their own dictionary."
This would simply spell chaos towards the modern day english speaker if it ever gets approve...
Newspeak much?
CodeCat
04 Jun 2010
I am a strong proponent of spelling reform. But I don't think spelling fruit as 'froot' is really any solution. I would prefer 'fruut' (going by Dutch spelling) or 'frut' (going by Swedish/German). That way, the link between the letter u and its sound as it is in most languages is restored. 'I' should be spelled 'ai' and 'house' should be 'haus'. The principle for every word should be: the same phoneme should be represented with the same spelling every time, and the same spelling should always represent the same phoneme. For a language that follows this principle very strictly, see Finnish or Turkish.
CJ
04 Jun 2010
CodeCat, on 4 Jun 2010, 17:17, said:
I am a strong proponent of spelling reform. But I don't think spelling fruit as 'froot' is really any solution. I would prefer 'fruut' (going by Dutch spelling) or 'frut' (going by Swedish/German). That way, the link between the letter u and its sound as it is in most languages is restored. 'I' should be spelled 'ai' and 'house' should be 'haus'. The principle for every word should be: the same phoneme should be represented with the same spelling every time, and the same spelling should always represent the same phoneme. For a language that follows this principle very strictly, see Finnish or Turkish.
*Facepalm*
Who the hell startled CodeCat on a linguistic topic anyway? D;
Major Fuckup
05 Jun 2010
Thats just fucking retarded i may not be able to spell and punctuate correctly but ad least i try to and not simplify words into a texting format. Doing what the protesters said just crosses the line into another level stupidity.
Brad
05 Jun 2010
Nono, lets just simplify everything until we end up with nothing but drool to communicate.
No, you're obviously right! I mean we should simplify everything! It's not like we need to have a bit of refinement in the infrastructure of human life.
Quite frankly, simplifying the language should just not happen, we already have tons of slang if you don't want to talk coherently.
No, you're obviously right! I mean we should simplify everything! It's not like we need to have a bit of refinement in the infrastructure of human life.
Quite frankly, simplifying the language should just not happen, we already have tons of slang if you don't want to talk coherently.
Kichō
05 Jun 2010
Quote
N Korea hails development of new 'super drink'
North Korea has developed a "super drink" that, it says, can multiply brain cells and stop skin ageing.
The secretive state's official news agency, KCNA, says the drink contains 60 kinds of "microelements" extracted from more than 30 species of plants.
It attracted "much interest from Chinese, German and other businessmen" at a trade fair in Pyongyang last month, the agency reports.
It was developed by a joint venture fruit juice company.
'No side-effect'
KCNA says: "It, with effects of both preventive and curative treatment, helps improve mental and retentive faculties by multiplying brain cells.
"It also protects skin from wrinkles and black spots and prevents such geriatric diseases as cerebral haemorrhage, myocardium and brain infarction by removing acid effete matters in time.
"It, much higher than quality cosmetics in anti-oxidation capacity, is efficacious for different skin diseases, including allergic dermatitis. It also makes skin fair.
"The drink has no side-effect."
The agency quotes a company manager, Jong Song Ho, as saying the drink has "proved efficacious among workers of such industrial establishments as thermal power station and smeltery and at medical institutions".
North Korea has developed a "super drink" that, it says, can multiply brain cells and stop skin ageing.
The secretive state's official news agency, KCNA, says the drink contains 60 kinds of "microelements" extracted from more than 30 species of plants.
It attracted "much interest from Chinese, German and other businessmen" at a trade fair in Pyongyang last month, the agency reports.
It was developed by a joint venture fruit juice company.
'No side-effect'
KCNA says: "It, with effects of both preventive and curative treatment, helps improve mental and retentive faculties by multiplying brain cells.
"It also protects skin from wrinkles and black spots and prevents such geriatric diseases as cerebral haemorrhage, myocardium and brain infarction by removing acid effete matters in time.
"It, much higher than quality cosmetics in anti-oxidation capacity, is efficacious for different skin diseases, including allergic dermatitis. It also makes skin fair.
"The drink has no side-effect."
The agency quotes a company manager, Jong Song Ho, as saying the drink has "proved efficacious among workers of such industrial establishments as thermal power station and smeltery and at medical institutions".
http://news.bbc.co.u...ic/10237314.stm
All hail the super drink!
CJ
05 Jun 2010
Korea-Kola, the first energy drink with real energy inside... Nuclear energy that is.
I wouldn't drink that even if my life depended of it, don't want my belly to become a nuclear plant, really
I wouldn't drink that even if my life depended of it, don't want my belly to become a nuclear plant, really
JJ
06 Jun 2010
Why the heck would you want to multiply your brain cells, most people don't even use up to a fraction of all of their brain. :3
Ion Cannon!
06 Jun 2010
Brad, on 5 Jun 2010, 16:18, said:
Nono, lets just simplify everything until we end up with nothing but drool to communicate.
No, you're obviously right! I mean we should simplify everything! It's not like we need to have a bit of refinement in the infrastructure of human life.
Quite frankly, simplifying the language should just not happen, we already have tons of slang if you don't want to talk coherently.
No, you're obviously right! I mean we should simplify everything! It's not like we need to have a bit of refinement in the infrastructure of human life.
Quite frankly, simplifying the language should just not happen, we already have tons of slang if you don't want to talk coherently.
Having just read the disgusting article about retards trying to make spelling easier so they can be even more retarded. I must agree.
Kichō
06 Jun 2010
Hmm, I thought I posted this one here but apparently I didn't... (It's slightly old but here goes)
On May 20, police unveiled what appeared to be their latest weapon in the fight against crime - a 6ft-long pedal-powered patrol car complete with siren and blue flashing light made by local bobby Keith Waller and children at high school. This 5-gear vehicle costs over £1,000, has a roll bar to protect the driver in the event of a crash. However, police admit that even if they are pedalling furiously the vehicle is unlikely to be able to apprehend anyone other than 'those with a zimmer frame'.
Source, http://www.globaltimes.cn/www/english/lang...5/534250_2.html
Theres another picture in the link, ignore the Chinese Characters, it's just the Simplified translation.
Quote
On May 20, police unveiled what appeared to be their latest weapon in the fight against crime - a 6ft-long pedal-powered patrol car complete with siren and blue flashing light made by local bobby Keith Waller and children at high school. This 5-gear vehicle costs over £1,000, has a roll bar to protect the driver in the event of a crash. However, police admit that even if they are pedalling furiously the vehicle is unlikely to be able to apprehend anyone other than 'those with a zimmer frame'.
Source, http://www.globaltimes.cn/www/english/lang...5/534250_2.html
Theres another picture in the link, ignore the Chinese Characters, it's just the Simplified translation.
Libains
06 Jun 2010
*Gives up on language*
I've seen the utter disintegration f the English language, and it's replacement by slang shite. Frankly, I don't give a damn whether it sounds right or not - I like the way the English language was written, and I'll have it stay that way, thankyou very much. There's something very beautiful about it, and for words like 'innit' and 'chav' to crop up in it is just abhorrent.
@Policeman - LOL
I've seen the utter disintegration f the English language, and it's replacement by slang shite. Frankly, I don't give a damn whether it sounds right or not - I like the way the English language was written, and I'll have it stay that way, thankyou very much. There's something very beautiful about it, and for words like 'innit' and 'chav' to crop up in it is just abhorrent.
@Policeman - LOL
Ion Cannon!
06 Jun 2010
AJ, on 6 Jun 2010, 22:36, said:
*Gives up on language*
I've seen the utter disintegration f the English language, and it's replacement by slang shite. Frankly, I don't give a damn whether it sounds right or not - I like the way the English language was written, and I'll have it stay that way, thankyou very much. There's something very beautiful about it, and for words like 'innit' and 'chav' to crop up in it is just abhorrent.
@Policeman - LOL
I've seen the utter disintegration f the English language, and it's replacement by slang shite. Frankly, I don't give a damn whether it sounds right or not - I like the way the English language was written, and I'll have it stay that way, thankyou very much. There's something very beautiful about it, and for words like 'innit' and 'chav' to crop up in it is just abhorrent.
@Policeman - LOL
Anyone that says LOL in normal conversation should be shot. Back home it was social suicide, but it seems to be more acceptable to actually say " lol " here - quite disgusting, and several of my friends here agree.
SquigPie
07 Jun 2010
Please, it's not like english is same as it was a couple of hundred years back, shakespeare anyone?
Languages change, slang becomes official, and old words wither and die.
All must bow before the Changer of Ways!
Languages change, slang becomes official, and old words wither and die.
All must bow before the Changer of Ways!
Chyros
07 Jun 2010
Noh, on 6 Jun 2010, 22:19, said:
Hmm, I thought I posted this one here but apparently I didn't... (It's slightly old but here goes)
On May 20, police unveiled what appeared to be their latest weapon in the fight against crime - a 6ft-long pedal-powered patrol car complete with siren and blue flashing light made by local bobby Keith Waller and children at high school. This 5-gear vehicle costs over £1,000, has a roll bar to protect the driver in the event of a crash. However, police admit that even if they are pedalling furiously the vehicle is unlikely to be able to apprehend anyone other than 'those with a zimmer frame'.
Source, http://www.globaltimes.cn/www/english/lang...5/534250_2.html
Theres another picture in the link, ignore the Chinese Characters, it's just the Simplified translation.
Quote
On May 20, police unveiled what appeared to be their latest weapon in the fight against crime - a 6ft-long pedal-powered patrol car complete with siren and blue flashing light made by local bobby Keith Waller and children at high school. This 5-gear vehicle costs over £1,000, has a roll bar to protect the driver in the event of a crash. However, police admit that even if they are pedalling furiously the vehicle is unlikely to be able to apprehend anyone other than 'those with a zimmer frame'.
Source, http://www.globaltimes.cn/www/english/lang...5/534250_2.html
Theres another picture in the link, ignore the Chinese Characters, it's just the Simplified translation.
.
Ion Cannon!
07 Jun 2010
SquigPie, on 7 Jun 2010, 7:03, said:
Please, it's not like english is same as it was a couple of hundred years back, shakespeare anyone?
Languages change, slang becomes official, and old words wither and die.
All must bow before the Changer of Ways!
Languages change, slang becomes official, and old words wither and die.
All must bow before the Changer of Ways!
Yes, but language generally gets more complex, not more retarded.
Alias
07 Jun 2010
Regardless of changes it should still be spelt the same. As an Australian we're particularly guilty of completely overblowing spelling for words with simply pronunciation. Melbourne is simply pronounced "mel-bun" and Canberra is "can-bra". Partially due to vowel dropping and all the shit we do a lot, but still. The UK and all the -cesters are pretty overblown too.
Spelling should not change because of pronunciation.
Spelling should not change because of pronunciation.
BeefJeRKy
07 Jun 2010
Ion Cannon!, on 7 Jun 2010, 15:09, said:
SquigPie, on 7 Jun 2010, 7:03, said:
Please, it's not like english is same as it was a couple of hundred years back, shakespeare anyone?
Languages change, slang becomes official, and old words wither and die.
All must bow before the Changer of Ways!
Languages change, slang becomes official, and old words wither and die.
All must bow before the Changer of Ways!
Yes, but language generally gets more complex, not more retarded.
It shouldn't get more complex. Language should constantly re-organize to avoid arbitrary exceptions to rules. But dropping those letters is just a fail.
CodeCat
07 Jun 2010
Alias, on 7 Jun 2010, 18:56, said:
Regardless of changes it should still be spelt the same. As an Australian we're particularly guilty of completely overblowing spelling for words with simply pronunciation. Melbourne is simply pronounced "mel-bun" and Canberra is "can-bra". Partially due to vowel dropping and all the shit we do a lot, but still. The UK and all the -cesters are pretty overblown too.
Spelling should not change because of pronunciation.
Spelling should not change because of pronunciation.
Then why aren't you using Anglo-Saxon spelling?
Chyros
07 Jun 2010
CodeCat, on 7 Jun 2010, 21:33, said:
Alias, on 7 Jun 2010, 18:56, said:
Regardless of changes it should still be spelt the same. As an Australian we're particularly guilty of completely overblowing spelling for words with simply pronunciation. Melbourne is simply pronounced "mel-bun" and Canberra is "can-bra". Partially due to vowel dropping and all the shit we do a lot, but still. The UK and all the -cesters are pretty overblown too.
Spelling should not change because of pronunciation.
Spelling should not change because of pronunciation.
Then why aren't you using Anglo-Saxon spelling?
Alias
07 Jun 2010
We spell 90% of things like the British. The other 10% are Australian specific, like gaol. I can't think of more than 2 or 3 words which we spell the American way over the British way.
I think he was thinking a little earlier on the timeframe than that, Chyros.
I think he was thinking a little earlier on the timeframe than that, Chyros.
Libains
08 Jun 2010
It's jail. It's Old English, very few people use the word here now, but you can still use it. Pronounced Gay-ol.
Chyros
08 Jun 2010
MacDR, on 8 Jun 2010, 3:58, said:
It's jail. It's Old English, very few people use the word here now, but you can still use it. Pronounced Gay-ol.
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