Why can't people learn to speak English?
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Longmont, CO
What about octopussies - oh, never mind.
In any case, my opinion is that following rigid rules works great for programming but is lunacy for natural languages. As long as I understand what you're trying to say, I'm happy.
In any case, my opinion is that following rigid rules works great for programming but is lunacy for natural languages. As long as I understand what you're trying to say, I'm happy.
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From: walnutcreek
Webster's also says "octopuses or octopi" pl , and "indexes or indices" pl. By the way, the same is true for pl. "fish". "fish, or fishes" you pick. The ones that really bug me are when people say "NU-KEE-LER" when it's clearly spelt NUCLEAR, and "RE-LI-TOR" when it's spelt REALTOR.
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From: walnutcreek
Originally posted by DarioManfretti
Then we have those that pronounce multiple deer as deers; mice as mouses. And the ever popular Illinois - saying the "s".
Then we have those that pronounce multiple deer as deers; mice as mouses. And the ever popular Illinois - saying the "s".
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From: walnutcreek
Originally posted by jackgarlic
I think fish and fishes are different. Fish (plural) pertains to number while fishes indicates variety.
As in "We're having catfish for dinner, I cooked three fish." (catfish, three of them) vs "Look at all the colorful fishes in the aquarium." (several different kinds of fish).
Of course I learnt this in school in Malaysia, and we study British English in our curriculum. (What do the British know? they only invented the language
)
I think fish and fishes are different. Fish (plural) pertains to number while fishes indicates variety.
As in "We're having catfish for dinner, I cooked three fish." (catfish, three of them) vs "Look at all the colorful fishes in the aquarium." (several different kinds of fish).
Of course I learnt this in school in Malaysia, and we study British English in our curriculum. (What do the British know? they only invented the language
)
Of course my English is kinda screwy anyway since I learned the Queens English in Hong Kong, England, and then just plain ol' English here in the States.
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From: Melbourne!
Originally posted by cthree
The other day I'm watching a show on marine biology and this biologist, a mollusk expert,
The other day I'm watching a show on marine biology and this biologist, a mollusk expert,
