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[RichardB]

Digressing from the subject somewhat I must agree with the general concesus of this thread that we 'Brits' are quite poor when it comes to writing our own language.

I think this also shows in our general inability to learn other languages which cannot be done unless we are able to use our own correctly.

How many native English speakers on forum understand for example the terms 'third person plural', 'Past participle' etc etc. I actually did my English 'A' level at the age of 38 so I could learn these as I was struggling to learn French as I did not know the basic terms and there meanings.

For example I was asked to produce an essay in the third person but to my shame didn't know what the tutor was talking about.

Now these are not so important for verbal communication but it is essential to know these for the written word.

[CBBB]

Digressing from the subject somewhat I must agree with the general concesus of this thread that we 'Brits' are quite poor when it comes to writing our own language.

I think this also shows in our general inability to learn other languages which cannot be done unless we are able to use our own correctly.

How many native English speakers on forum understand for example the terms 'third person plural', 'Past participle' etc etc. I actually did my English 'A' level at the age of 38 so I could learn these as I was struggling to learn French as I did not know the basic terms and there meanings.

For example I was asked to produce an essay in the third person but to my shame didn't know what the tutor was talking about.

Now these are not so important for verbal communication but it is essential to know these for the written word.

Spot on Dickie old chap. I have no idea what a genitive is, but in your native language it is not necessary to know. When it comes to the foreign stuff, it seems that you need to!

[SSBubbles]

Digressing from the subject somewhat I must agree with the general concesus of this thread that we 'Brits' are quite poor when it comes to writing our own language.
I think this also shows in our general inability to learn other languages which cannot be done unless we are able to use our own correctly.
How many native English speakers on forum understand for example the terms 'third person plural', 'Past participle' etc etc. I actually did my English 'A' level at the age of 38 so I could learn these as I was struggling to learn French as I did not know the basic terms and there meanings.
For example I was asked to produce an essay in the third person but to my shame didn't know what the tutor was talking about.
Now these are not so important for verbal communication but it is essential to know these for the written word.

I agree partially with what you have said RichardB, but I really must stress the importance of 'proof reading' and the possible necessity of you retaking your English exam!

I will revisit this post later.

[RichardB]

Digressing from the subject somewhat I must agree with the general concesus of this thread that we 'Brits' are quite poor when it comes to writing our own language.
I think this also shows in our general inability to learn other languages which cannot be done unless we are able to use our own correctly.
How many native English speakers on forum understand for example the terms 'third person plural', 'Past participle' etc etc. I actually did my English 'A' level at the age of 38 so I could learn these as I was struggling to learn French as I did not know the basic terms and there meanings.
For example I was asked to produce an essay in the third person but to my shame didn't know what the tutor was talking about.
Now these are not so important for verbal communication but it is essential to know these for the written word.

I agree partially with what you have said RichardB, but I really must stress the importance of 'proof reading' and the possible necessity of you retaking your English exam!

I will revisit this post later.

You stole my 'N'

The sad thing is Bubbles that spelling is not an important part of English examinations nowadays and I cud quit esillly have past the exam with spelin like this

It really winds me up sometimes.

[Oracle]

Digressing from the subject somewhat I must agree with the general concesus of this thread that we 'Brits' are quite poor when it comes to writing our own language.

I think this also shows in our general inability to learn other languages which cannot be done unless we are able to use our own correctly.

How many native English speakers on forum understand for example the terms 'third person plural', 'Past participle' etc etc. I actually did my English 'A' level at the age of 38 so I could learn these as I was struggling to learn French as I did not know the basic terms and there meanings.

For example I was asked to produce an essay in the third person but to my shame didn't know what the tutor was talking about.

Now these are not so important for verbal communication but it is essential to know these for the written word.

I only have "O" Level English Language and English Literature and we were just required to write essays without any formal teaching of grammar. We had to absorb it by osmosis through writing and reading. That's partly why I gravitated to the sciences where there is greater rigour in using correct definitions of words and terms ... And of course it's all Greek -- so it suited my lackadaisical side ...

[SSBubbles]

You stole my 'N'
The sad thing is Bubbles that spelling is not an important part of English examinations nowadays and I cud quit esillly have past the exam with spelin like this
It really winds me up sometimes.

Sorry!
How can spelling not be important??? That is just sheer madness! Surely it is the art of the language!
(I still understood your 'non English' though!)

I hate reading 'bad English' (by us Brits that is! ) Laziness IMHO!

[SSBubbles]

I only have "O" Level English Language and English Literature and we were just required to write essays without any formal teaching of grammar. We had to absorb it by osmosis through writing and reading. That's partly why I gravitated to the sciences where there is greater rigour in using correct definitions of words and terms ... And of course it's all Greek -- so it suited my lackadaisical side ...

It is a pity that you were not taught correctly! My English teacher instilled to her class (or me at least) the importance of correct grammar - even if our local dialects 'dictated' otherwise. I thank her for that.

Science is 'all Greek' now is it?

Right, back to the important things in life - the cricket and my wine!
Come on England - they need all the help they can get!

[RichardB]

I only have "O" Level English Language and English Literature and we were just required to write essays without any formal teaching of grammar. We had to absorb it by osmosis through writing and reading. That's partly why I gravitated to the sciences where there is greater rigour in using correct definitions of words and terms ... And of course it's all Greek -- so it suited my lackadaisical side ...

It is a pity that you were not taught correctly! My English teacher instilled to her class (or me at least) the importance of correct grammar - even if our local dialects 'dictated' otherwise. I thank her for that.

Science is 'all Greek' now is it?

Right, back to the important things in life - the cricket and my wine!
Come on England - they need all the help they can get!

I agree with you 'O' we also did not have any 'formal' teaching of the correct grammer. Like you it came about through reading and writing. My point was that this lack of formal teaching makes it very difficult to learn a second (or third) language.
.
Bubbles you were very lucky in having a teacher who taught you the correct grammer.

BTW a lot of science is literally 'all Greek' one only has to look around any hospital to see where our medical terms came from ie 'pedia'trics, pathology, 'geria'trics etc. Also in my own specialist area 'micro' organisms and 'exo'toxins amongst others.

[SSBubbles]

I only have "O" Level English Language and English Literature and we were just required to write essays without any formal teaching of grammar. We had to absorb it by osmosis through writing and reading. That's partly why I gravitated to the sciences where there is greater rigour in using correct definitions of words and terms ... And of course it's all Greek -- so it suited my lackadaisical side ...

It is a pity that you were not taught correctly! My English teacher instilled to her class (or me at least) the importance of correct grammar - even if our local dialects 'dictated' otherwise. I thank her for that.

Science is 'all Greek' now is it?

Right, back to the important things in life - the cricket and my wine!
Come on England - they need all the help they can get!

I agree with you 'O' we also did not have any 'formal' teaching of the correct grammer. Like you it came about through reading and writing. My point was that this lack of formal teaching makes it very difficult to learn a second (or third) language..
Bubbles you were very lucky in having a teacher who taught you the correct grammer.
BTW a lot of science is literally 'all Greek' one only has to look around any hospital to see where our medical terms came from ie 'pedia'trics, pathology, 'geria'trics etc. Also in my own specialist area 'micro' organisms and 'exo'toxins amongst others.

Richard! the word is GRAMMAR! (My former English teacher will not pass you tonight!)

Yes, us Brits are extremely lazy when in comes to learning new languages - and believe me I have met many here in Cyprus! I am still learning Greek and one day I hope to master the language - 'forever hopeful'! lol

I fully understand medical terminology and the 'route' of their words, but to suggest that this is ALL GREEK is a bit far fetched even for O!

[denizaksulu]

I only have "O" Level English Language and English Literature and we were just required to write essays without any formal teaching of grammar. We had to absorb it by osmosis through writing and reading. That's partly why I gravitated to the sciences where there is greater rigour in using correct definitions of words and terms ... And of course it's all Greek -- so it suited my lackadaisical side ...

It is a pity that you were not taught correctly! My English teacher instilled to her class (or me at least) the importance of correct grammar - even if our local dialects 'dictated' otherwise. I thank her for that.

Science is 'all Greek' now is it?

Right, back to the important things in life - the cricket and my wine!
Come on England - they need all the help they can get!

I agree with you 'O' we also did not have any 'formal' teaching of the correct grammer. Like you it came about through reading and writing. My point was that this lack of formal teaching makes it very difficult to learn a second (or third) language..
Bubbles you were very lucky in having a teacher who taught you the correct grammer.
BTW a lot of science is literally 'all Greek' one only has to look around any hospital to see where our medical terms came from ie 'pedia'trics, pathology, 'geria'trics etc. Also in my own specialist area 'micro' organisms and 'exo'toxins amongst others.

Richard! the word is GRAMMAR! (My former English teacher will not pass you tonight!)

Yes, us Brits are extremely lazy when in comes to learning new languages - and believe me I have met many here in Cyprus! I am still learning Greek and one day I hope to master the language - 'forever hopeful'! lol

I fully understand medical terminology and the 'route' of their words, but to suggest that this is ALL GREEK is a bit far fetched even for O!

Alcohol for medicinal use is definitely not of Greek etymology, but I hear Oracle peeping around the corner to meet your challenge. Bless her

No more alcohol for me this month.