Re: [libreoffice-users] Question about LO Writer and "complex documents"

On Fri, 31 Jul 2015, Gary Collins wrote:

> I think that register is an important consideration. Colloquial 
> language tends to be in a state of flux and dictionaries will always 
> lag behind. Formal language tends to be far more conservative, and 
> that, I think, is where "proper" is likely to be a more important 
> consideration.
>
> Is either "more correct" than the other? Not really. It depends on 
> the nature and purpose of the communication. But "improper" use 
> of words and grammar will, of course, give the impression that the 
> communicator has been "poorly educated." (Again, that could be 
> considered a "loaded concept".) Where "making a good impression" is 
> important, dictionaries are very useful tools indeed.
>
> /Gary

I fully concur. for instance misspelled words don't always impair 
understanding but they can give a bad impression.

I only wanted to say dictionaries are not 'authorities' except as 
snapshots of actual usage.

thanks.

f.

>        From: Felmon Davis <davisf@union.edu>
> To: users@global.libreoffice.org
> Sent: Thursday, 30 July 2015, 21:48
> Subject: Re: [libreoffice-users] Question about LO Writer and "complex documents"
>
> On Wed, 29 Jul 2015, anne-ology wrote:
>
> >       grammar skillfully employed procures meaningful communication,
> >           [see below for comments to your comments]
>
> yes, 'skillful' is not the same as 'proper'.
>
> or let's put it this way, 'proper' is ambiguous. it could mean
> 'according to some accepted standard' or it could be 'adept'.
>
> an act of communication can be 'improper' but apt or 'proper' but
> inept.
>
> some think 'the King and me' is 'improper' and should be 'the King and
> I'. aside from reasons of gentility they are equally fit to purpose.
>
> [pardon the deletions]
>
> >       Without good communication skills, then how can anyone be a part of
> > > any community  ???
> >
> > I doubt 'good communication skills' require 'proper' grammar.
> >
> >       [well, how would you punctuate this sentence? -
> >           Woman without her man is helpless
> >         (yes, it's an old time example used by probably every English
> > instructor since ... )
> >
> >       It could be 'Woman, without her man, is helpless.' or 'Woman:
> > without her, man is helpless.']
>
> the spoken sentences would be unambiguous.
>
> here are some other punctuations:
>
> Woman! without her man is helpless.
> Woman - without her, man is helpless.
>
> some grammar 'authority' will favor one, some another. it is pointless
> to dispute such religious questions.
>
> speaking of which: to me it's anathema how Brits sprinkle commas all
> over their sentences; after all they aren't Germans!
>
> f.

--
Felmon Davis

Do not fold, spindle or mutilate.
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