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Author Topic: let's roll - 26/01  (Read 16828 times)

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V-Adore

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let's roll - 26/01
« Reply #60 on: January 29, 2004, 06:34:19 pm »

I may be a bad person for this, but I enjoy the (non)word "octopi" and will endeavor to keep using it. To me, it fulfills the basic requirements for a word, in that I say it and my concept is clearly communicated. I also just like saying it, too: "octopi!" It's satisfying.
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jough

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let's roll - 26/01
« Reply #61 on: January 29, 2004, 06:36:12 pm »

The U.S. has no definitive resource for language.  But France does.

L'Académie Française decides on what is and is not officially part of the language.  Their rules may or may not have any bearing on actual usage.

Just last year, for instance, they outlawed the use of the word "e-mail," and created their own word, Courriel, a blending of "courrier" (mail) and "electronique" (electronic).

It makes sense, I suppose, for the French to want their own word for it (lest they get too many phrases like "le weekend" horning their way into the language) but of course no one but government agencies actually *use* the word, since the word "e-mail" is ubiquitous throughout the world.

AlohaDawg

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let's roll - 26/01
« Reply #62 on: January 29, 2004, 07:06:41 pm »

Following Jough's post: it should be very interesting in about 10 years to see if there are two distinct languages in France, a sort of "high" or government French and a sort of "French language of the people".

Go Proles, Go!
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jough

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« Reply #63 on: January 29, 2004, 07:12:52 pm »

There's already a disconnect between the Academy and the people - the French have SO MUCH slang and in some sub-coutures they use slang almost exclusively.  It really irks a lot of old fashioned people.

I'm not just talking about teenagers being rebellious, either.  I'm talking entire segments of the population - entire cities of people using a good 25% of language that is not officially approved by the "Ministry of Culture."

Please don't construe this as French-bashing, because I happen to love the French people, their culture, and language (via the Academy or otherwise).

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« Reply #64 on: January 29, 2004, 08:39:59 pm »

English has unofficial arbiters. I know a lot of editors who rely entirely on a combination of the AP manual and Merriam-Webster. Others swear by the OED which doesn't make sense to me as an american speaker.

This did make me remeber my HS spanish teacher who would go on for whole class periods about us ruining spanish. Apparently because they were using words like emailar and beepar (to call a beeper/pager). Meanwhile she though all the spanish influences on english were just dandy.
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Bobby Isosceles

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let's roll - 26/01
« Reply #65 on: January 31, 2004, 05:22:36 am »

Quote from: "wombat"
P.S.  Of course, it should be clear that this means we should all say 'penes' when talking to Bobby Isoceles....if only because we can't please him even more by speaking to him in Ancient Sumerian.


Thank you. I don't know if Ancient Sumerian can ever be spoken as no one knows what it sounds like! They have best guesses. It can only be read.


*bobby isosceles, deity.
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wombat

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« Reply #66 on: January 31, 2004, 05:42:05 pm »

I guess that the best you can hope for is that someday you can sit in the back of the classroom and pass notes in Ancient Sumerian, then.
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Bobby Isosceles

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let's roll - 26/01
« Reply #67 on: January 31, 2004, 05:54:25 pm »

Quote from: "wombat"
I guess that the best you can hope for is that someday you can sit in the back of the classroom and pass notes in Ancient Sumerian, then.


Getting rock-hard thinking about it.
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AugustWest

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« Reply #68 on: January 31, 2004, 07:05:23 pm »

Penes, Penes, Penes!  That's all we talk about around here anymore!
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V-Adore

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let's roll - 26/01
« Reply #69 on: January 31, 2004, 11:35:12 pm »

Quote from: "Bobby Isosceles"
Quote from: "wombat"
I guess that the best you can hope for is that someday you can sit in the back of the classroom and pass notes in Ancient Sumerian, then.


Getting rock-hard thinking about it.

Well, whatever butters your toast, man.

That said, Ancient Sumerian would be the best language ever to pass notes in. Confuse your homeroom teacher! Baffle the bullies!
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CortJstr

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« Reply #70 on: February 01, 2004, 12:36:55 am »

Quote from: "AugustWest"
Penes, Penes, Penes!  That's all we talk about around here anymore!


Let's hear it for breasts! Boobies, boobies!
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AugustWest

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« Reply #71 on: February 01, 2004, 03:54:57 am »

How 'bout some respect for the boo-tay?  Booties, booties, booties!

Wait, that looks like I get off on babies' footwear...

I guess what I'm trying to say is, I like big butts.  And, I do not lie.
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jay-ell

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« Reply #72 on: February 02, 2004, 05:20:53 pm »

I think this thread has exhausted its usefulness at this point.
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