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Re: APPA wants all paid events banned from Adelaide Parklands

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 6:51 pm
by monotonehell
Prince George wrote:...I recollect back in the 90's one philosophy prof musing that she had seen the students...
In any case, language isn't a fixed thing, it changes over time. The grammar-philes of old would be mortified to see how often we are splitting infinitives, leaving dangling prepositions, or ending setences with conjunctions.
;) Now I'm being picky. But, I make mistakes all the time. So glasshouses and stones.

The other thing (one of the other things for I am well on my way to becoming a cranky old man) that has been annoying me of late is people putting "up" or a similar direction on the end of every verb. Sometimes it's simply redundant, other times it's an oxymoron.

Consider the differences between:
"The lift went up."
"The balloon rose up."
"The saucepan is warming up."
And my favourite office cliché:
"I've got that covered off."

The first one is okay. The second is redundant, for a balloon can't rise down. The third is the same as the second.

But the last! Arrgh. Okay, let me understand you. You have covered the situation... or the cover's come off of the situation?

George: the argument that language isn't a fixed thing does not excuse the situation. Sure language changes. Sometimes words flip in meaning. But in recent times when most people are literate and everything can be recorded on many media (written word as well as spoken word) not only is that change somewhat slower, but the codification of communication is more clear.

The bottom line is a lot of people's written word (and in some cases their spoken word) FAILS to communicate what they are trying to express. A lot of people argue that as long as their point is being communicated, it doesn't matter about their grammar. Well I've seen a lot of people's attempt to communicate through the filter of their poor grammar and often they fail. And that makes baby Jesus cry. ;)

Re: APPA wants all paid events banned from Adelaide Parklands

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:01 pm
by Vee
Back on track.
duke wrote:
PARKLANDS campaigners want whoever wins Saturday’s State Election to ban all money-making events in the city’s green belt.

In a list of demands revealed to the City North Messenger, the Adelaide Parklands Preservation Association (APPA) has called for a ban on any event that charges a fee to enter the Parklands, and an impact study to assess the environmental toll of past events.
Oh no!
I'm all for the Parklands being used to enrich the lives and well-being of Adelaide residents and our most welcome visitors. This includes a range of events (The Fringe: Garden of Unearthly Delights is an outstanding example!), quiet enjoyments such as walking, cycling, picnics and other lesiure pursuits and the aesthetic and environmental benefits.

These events are accessible (and generally affordable) to the public, complemented by nearby amenities, well supported and incredibly important to our economy and sense of self pride.

Is there a counter group?

Re: APPA wants all paid events banned from Adelaide Parklands

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:12 pm
by monotonehell
veemur wrote:Is there a counter group?
Yes you're looking at it. We talk about grammar instead of giving these people any thought. They really are a minority. Possibly a vocal one, but most people pay them no attention.

Re: APPA wants all paid events banned from Adelaide Parklands

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 10:56 pm
by rhino
monotonehell wrote: Consider the differences between:
"The lift went up."
"The balloon rose up."
"The saucepan is warming up."
And my favourite office cliché:
"I've got that covered off."
I love the way, in English, you have to chop a tree down before you chop it up.

Oh, and more events in the parklands please!

Re: APPA wants all paid events banned from Adelaide Parklands

Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 11:27 am
by peas_and_corn
I don't like it when people say 'two times less' (and other such variants). Can't they just say half?

Re: APPA wants all paid events banned from Adelaide Parklands

Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 5:04 pm
by monotonehell
peas_and_corn wrote:I don't like it when people say 'two times less' (and other such variants). Can't they just say half?
LOL quite right. Two times less would be a negative number. ;)

Re: APPA wants all paid events banned from Adelaide Parklands

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 12:25 am
by rhino
With all the abbreviation of language these days, I find it wierd that people (Journos especially) keep saying "... at the minute" rather than "... now"

Re: APPA wants all paid events banned from Adelaide Parklands

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 10:51 am
by SRW
rhino wrote:With all the abbreviation of language these days, I find it wierd that people (Journos especially) keep saying "... at the minute" rather than "... now"
Journalistic non-speak really bugs me. A particular irritant is "Meantime..."