It's actually a very interesting thing that shows a lot about how our brains deal with linguistic input, and why perhaps an alphabet-based language may be less effective/efficient than a logogram-based language (as in Chinese). We spend a lot of time learning spelling, and in English it is complicated by the historical background of the language, but our eyes tend to view clumps. Could a logogram-based writing system be a more efficient way of communicating ideas?
Discuss either way.
Learning to spell notwithstanding, children need only learn 26 characters and very basic rules for combining them together in order to read. The same can not be said for Chinese logograms, where one must know a couple thousand symbols before one can read even rudimentary text.
I dated a Chinese woman who said she still comes across words that she can't read. In addition, school children in China first learn to read and write in a phonetic equivalent of Chinese using the Latin alphabet.
All things considered, I think that we are very lucky to have an alphabetic language.
Many Americans seem to be able to be offended by practically anything these days.
What happened to the old adage, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me"???
I find that some forum members are particularly thin skinned, sensitive, and ready to flame at offenses real or imagined. Can someone explain that to me? I have been attacked several times for making what I thought was an innocent statement of fact or opinion. I am often discouraged from making a statement for fear someone is going to take it as a slur and flame me.
I had thought that registering in a forum would introduce me to people on a higher plane. That's not to say that most of the members aren't really gentlemen - and ladies. I really feel good about establishing a rapport with them. I have learned quite a bit from this forum and I vastly appreciate it.
Why are some forum members so ready to pounce? Do they log on ready to joust? I really don't find that in the 'real world". Do some of you walk around with a chip on your shoulder daring anyone to knock it off?
Yeah but I heard the Health Care wasn't very good... and what about Dental and Vision?
Sebastian
A friend of mine has a cousin up there who is supposed to be a good dentist, so you might be alright on that front (you could always just buy your premature Perfect-Smile (TM) dentures and be done with it).
Regarding vision. In Washington? Sorry, not too much.
I'm not sure it's limited to Americans. After all, you snapped at that guy who quite jokingly pointed-out your typo.
Firstly, I wasn't pointing out Bergermeister's typo. Notice the first word on this line. It's an adverb, not an adjective (First, I ...). I have a bad habit of using adjectives where I should use adverbs. We all do it, but since I teach, it's a bigger mistake for me. I also make typo's and when I go back and reread what I wrote, it amuses me that I make as many mistakes as everyone else does.
We all use two languages - informal and formal. Formal when writing on the job, writing a resume, going on a job interview. Informal talking to friends, family, and .....forum members. It's more important to get the thought down than to try to be formal. In fact, if we were to speak formally to friends, I have a suspicion they'd say, "Who the hell does he think HE is."
Secondly, (I got that right, see), Bergermeister DID apologize. I appreciate that - and now we have what I consider a rapport.
Third, (scr_w the adverb), I wrote a post saying that some forum members were too thin skinned. Then, I proceeded to snap at someone who didn't want to hear from professors, but he wanted to discuss Logic (in what I thought was the wrong thread). I told him to go chase a mouse. That wasn't very nice.
Forth, (still no adverb), it's no wonder that countries don't understand each other, when we, as individuals can't be civil to one another - even when we have something in common - the great Mac and its emissary, the high and mighty, SJ. Now, let's all ki...., er, shake hands and be friends.
Finally, if you think I talk too much, just skip over my posts. I won't take it personally.
The "snap" I refer to was actually in another thread, and not at you.
I accuse other members of being thin skinned and, as you point out, I thought your admonition was directed at me. I am going to make a make a concerted effort to be less paranoid.
That being said, it amazes me that some AI members are so hostile to other members.. This forum is made up of very intelligent people. As a group, they are, no doubt, in one of the highest strata of intelligence. Then why do they attack other members' opinions so vehemently? It would seem that intelligence alone does not remove a chip from one's shoulder. We should be helping one another, not flaming each other.
Comments
Yep, writing Mumbo Jumbo is what I've always wanted to do in life.
Sebastian
You should try getting a job in Washington... I hear they pay very well.
It's actually a very interesting thing that shows a lot about how our brains deal with linguistic input, and why perhaps an alphabet-based language may be less effective/efficient than a logogram-based language (as in Chinese). We spend a lot of time learning spelling, and in English it is complicated by the historical background of the language, but our eyes tend to view clumps. Could a logogram-based writing system be a more efficient way of communicating ideas?
Discuss either way.
Learning to spell notwithstanding, children need only learn 26 characters and very basic rules for combining them together in order to read. The same can not be said for Chinese logograms, where one must know a couple thousand symbols before one can read even rudimentary text.
I dated a Chinese woman who said she still comes across words that she can't read. In addition, school children in China first learn to read and write in a phonetic equivalent of Chinese using the Latin alphabet.
All things considered, I think that we are very lucky to have an alphabetic language.
Many Americans seem to be able to be offended by practically anything these days.
What happened to the old adage, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me"???
I find that some forum members are particularly thin skinned, sensitive, and ready to flame at offenses real or imagined. Can someone explain that to me? I have been attacked several times for making what I thought was an innocent statement of fact or opinion. I am often discouraged from making a statement for fear someone is going to take it as a slur and flame me.
I had thought that registering in a forum would introduce me to people on a higher plane. That's not to say that most of the members aren't really gentlemen - and ladies. I really feel good about establishing a rapport with them. I have learned quite a bit from this forum and I vastly appreciate it.
Why are some forum members so ready to pounce? Do they log on ready to joust? I really don't find that in the 'real world". Do some of you walk around with a chip on your shoulder daring anyone to knock it off?
Conversion Table
1. Ratio of an igloo's circumference to its diameter = Eskimo Pi
2. 2000 pounds of Chinese soup = Won ton
3. 1 millionth of a mouthwash = 1 microscope
4. Time between slipping on a peel and smacking the pavement =
1 bananosecond
5. Weight an evangelist carries with God = 1 billigram
6. Time it takes to sail 220 yards at 1 nautical mile per hour =
Knotfurlong
7. 16.5 feet in the Twilight Zone = 1 Rod Sterling
8. Half of a large intestine = 1 semicolon
9. 1,000,000 aches = 1 megahurtz
10. Basic unit of laryngitis = 1 hoarsepower
11. Shortest distance between two jokes = A straight line
12. 453.6 graham crackers = 1 pound cake
13. 1 million-million microphones = 1 megaphone
14. 2 million bicycles = 2 megacycles
15. 365.25 days = 1 unicycle
16. 2000 mockingbirds = 2 kilomockingbirds
17. 52 cards = 1 decacards
18. 1 kilogram of falling figs = 1 FigNewton
19. 1000 milliliters of wet socks = 1 literhosen
20. 1 millionth of a fish = 1 microfiche
21. 1 trillion pins = 1 terrapin
22. 10 rations = 1 decoration
23. 100 rations = 1 C-ration
24. 2 monograms = 1 diagram
25. 4 nickels = 2 paradigms
26. 2.4 statute miles of intravenous surgical tubing at Yale University
Hospital = 1 IV League
Many Americans seem to be able to be offended by practically anything these days.
What happened to the old adage, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me"???
I'm not sure it's limited to Americans. After all, you snapped at that guy who quite jokingly pointed-out your typo.
I'm not sure it's limited to Americans. After all, you snapped at that guy who quite jokingly pointed-out your typo.
Just an American (ex-pat though I may be) functioning in our predetermined style to raise conflict throughout the world.
Just wanted to see if he could take it.
Yeah but I heard the Health Care wasn't very good... and what about Dental and Vision?
Sebastian
A friend of mine has a cousin up there who is supposed to be a good dentist, so you might be alright on that front (you could always just buy your premature Perfect-Smile (TM) dentures and be done with it).
Regarding vision. In Washington? Sorry, not too much.
I'm not sure it's limited to Americans. After all, you snapped at that guy who quite jokingly pointed-out your typo.
Firstly, I wasn't pointing out Bergermeister's typo. Notice the first word on this line. It's an adverb, not an adjective (First, I ...). I have a bad habit of using adjectives where I should use adverbs. We all do it, but since I teach, it's a bigger mistake for me. I also make typo's and when I go back and reread what I wrote, it amuses me that I make as many mistakes as everyone else does.
We all use two languages - informal and formal. Formal when writing on the job, writing a resume, going on a job interview. Informal talking to friends, family, and .....forum members. It's more important to get the thought down than to try to be formal. In fact, if we were to speak formally to friends, I have a suspicion they'd say, "Who the hell does he think HE is."
Secondly, (I got that right, see), Bergermeister DID apologize. I appreciate that - and now we have what I consider a rapport.
Third, (scr_w the adverb), I wrote a post saying that some forum members were too thin skinned. Then, I proceeded to snap at someone who didn't want to hear from professors, but he wanted to discuss Logic (in what I thought was the wrong thread). I told him to go chase a mouse. That wasn't very nice.
Forth, (still no adverb), it's no wonder that countries don't understand each other, when we, as individuals can't be civil to one another - even when we have something in common - the great Mac and its emissary, the high and mighty, SJ. Now, let's all ki...., er, shake hands and be friends.
Finally, if you think I talk too much, just skip over my posts. I won't take it personally.
What is your reading list like? (somewhat on topic)
Firstly, I wasn't pointing out Bergermeister's typo....
The "snap" I refer to was actually in another thread, and not at you.
The "snap" I refer to was actually in another thread, and not at you.
I accuse other members of being thin skinned and, as you point out, I thought your admonition was directed at me. I am going to make a make a concerted effort to be less paranoid.
That being said, it amazes me that some AI members are so hostile to other members.. This forum is made up of very intelligent people. As a group, they are, no doubt, in one of the highest strata of intelligence. Then why do they attack other members' opinions so vehemently? It would seem that intelligence alone does not remove a chip from one's shoulder. We should be helping one another, not flaming each other.