Learning correct English - Page 10

suzyQ3 · ‎03-09-2010

@MoJoV wrote:
@suzyQ3 Of course I've used the word got wrong innumerable times. I'm not the correct grammar snob,but "it's got" starts getting to me...just sounds bad. OK?

@MoJoV, fine.

~Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle~ Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

suzyQ3 · ‎03-09-2010

@Juniper2 wrote:

@Juniper2 wrote:
What is the point of some of us learning to speak English correctly when the requirement to speak English at all in the US is diminishing? English may just go the way of cursive writing.
@Juniper2, thankfully, there has never been such a requirement. Any country that forces all their citizens to speak one language is not a country in which I would ever want to reside.
@suzyQ3

How can a country function as a unified country if its citizens can't communicate properly with each other? Seems to me that would just serve to segregate unnecessarily. I know if I had to struggle to make conversation with someone, I would not try as hard.

That's not what I responded to in your post, @Juniper2 . I am in favor of helping anyone who would like to learn English or to improve their language skills.

I am NOT in favor of requiring that everyone speak English in this country.

~Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle~ Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

suzyQ3 · ‎03-09-2010

@Cakers3 wrote:
@proudlyfromNJ wrote:
@Juniper2 wrote:

@Juniper2 wrote:
What is the point of some of us learning to speak English correctly when the requirement to speak English at all in the US is diminishing? English may just go the way of cursive writing.
@Juniper2, thankfully, there has never been such a requirement. Any country that forces all their citizens to speak one language is not a country in which I would ever want to reside.
@suzyQ3

How can a country function as a unified country if its citizens can't communicate properly with each other? Seems to me that would just serve to segregate unnecessarily. I know if I had to struggle to make conversation with someone, I would not try as hard.
@Juniper2 Give me your tired your poor. Oops, maybe we should change her words to Keep Out, we are haters here now!
@proudlyfromNJ We are not haters here now. The quote from Lady Liberty has nothing to do with learning English.

I taught ESL night classes to adults for years. Was I a hater to teach Englsih? Of course not. My students couldn't wait to learn the language of their new country.

The key is English as a SECOND language, not English only and forget your native language.

And English IS our language here.

Of course we have blends of other languages; that's a given. People from all around the world bring their language, culture, etc. and nobody is asking them to toss that all away.

We have vocabulary that is now standard language in this country.

When new arrivals do not learn at least basic English, it puts them in an enclosed area with only people who can communicate with them.

We also have a rich culture in this country; there is room for everyone to learn from each other.

But communicating in language that all can use, even in a basic manner, will actually bring people in a more unified manner instead of isolating by whatever language they speak.

I'm getting tired of hearing the word "haters" when helping new arrivals adapt in a more productive way is looked at as something bad.

Yes, @Cakers3 , but this subthread started with a poster who mentioned that the "requirement" to speak English has is "diminishing."

That is a loaded sentence that includes the idea that English has been a requirement. That's the basis of my objection; it certainly has nothing to do with teaching the language to as many people as possible who CHOOSE to learn it.

~Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle~ Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

suzyQ3 · ‎03-09-2010

@Tsukiko wrote:
I didn't read this whole thread but I say should've and would've all the time. That's what I assume most people say, not should of.

@Tsukiko, most often is it very difficult to determine whether on said it correctly or not because of how similar they sound. In writing, of course, it's not a problem.

~Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle~ Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Cakers3 · ‎06-17-2015

@suzyQ3 One of the requirements to become a US citizen is the ability to read, speak, and write in BASIC English.

I don't know where you are getting the idea that people are being forced to learn English.

It's standard for immigrants seeking citizenship.

"" Compassion is a verb."-Thich Nhat Hanh

suzyQ3 · ‎03-09-2010

@Cakers3 wrote:
@suzyQ3 One of the requirements to become a US citizen is the ability to read, speak, and write in BASIC English.

I don't know where you are getting the idea that people are being forced to learn English.

It's standard for immigrants seeking citizenship.

@Cakers3, the confusion here for me is that the poster talked about "the requirement to speak English." I took that literally. Yes, citizenship, with several important exceptions, includes a fairly simple language test.

But in real life, those new citizens can speak whatever language they choose. This is crucial to the discussion because I've heard such disdain from people when they encounter someone speaking a different language, almost always it's Spanish that annoys them the most.

We do not have national language. English is only a de facto primary language, despite the desires of some.

~Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle~ Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Highlands72 · ‎06-04-2016

@suzyQ3 wrote:
@Tsukiko wrote:
I didn't read this whole thread but I say should've and would've all the time. That's what I assume most people say, not should of.
@Tsukiko, most often is it very difficult to determine whether on said it correctly or not because of how similar they sound. In writing, of course, it's not a problem.

---

In casual speech, it often sounds more like "shoulda" and "woulda" to me.

Highlands72 · ‎06-04-2016

@MoJoV wrote:
I hear my pet peeve alot when I happen to be watching any shopping channel. It's got,it's got, it's got. They all say it.

---

"Alot" is not a word in English.

I agree that it is common to hear "it's got" in place of "it has." Presumably, "it's got" is meant by the user to mean "it has got," which would be a clumsy way to convey one's meaning. Is there even an accepted contraction for "it has" in this (or any) context? Certainly, by using the contraction for "it is" they are not saying "it is got."

Oh well, I simply become accustomed to hearing these things. In casual speech, I love to hear accents, dialects, regionalisms, colloquialisms, and all manner of "distortions" of the English language.

This post is not to be taken too seriously.

sunshine45 · ‎03-09-2010

@Cakers3 wrote:
@suzyQ3 One of the requirements to become a US citizen is the ability to read, speak, and write in BASIC English.

I don't know where you are getting the idea that people are being forced to learn English.

It's standard for immigrants seeking citizenship.

while it is considered standard, it is correct that it is very BASIC english skills. however, not everyone has to meet those requirements to become a US citizen. there are other ways to become a citizen without meeting the english language requirement.

of course, many do NOT seek to become citizens, but are legally here with a green card. some speak english fluently, others not at all.....and everything in between.

********************************************
"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein

RainCityWoman · ‎06-16-2015

@jannabelle1 wrote:
When did people stop learning correct English? When did people start using the word "of" instead of "have". I see it all the time: "I should of...." or "I would of....". Is it important? I suppose in the scheme of things it isn't, but it stands out like a sore thumb to me. I suppose the contraction "would've" has now been translated into "would of". I expect to be beat up on this. That's okay.

You are correct in that it all started with the contraction and evolved from there. But that was a very long time ago. I have 30 years teaching experience, and I have observed that type of misuse from day 1. Some schools don't even teach grammar and usage, and social media has led to all kinds of bastardizing of the English Language. Language itself is always in a state of evolution, especially with vocabulary, but I still support a strong foundation in basic language skills and proper English. It's best to know the rules in order to understand how you break them. If I have many any type errors, here, please inform me.

As for people who have English as a second language, that's a different story. Let's get the native born speakers to understand their own language first. As for immigrants to the country, the key to success and financial as well as emotional security would be to know the language of the country in which you live. It just makes things a lot easier for you. English IS the official language and business and government use that designated language. Immigrants can use their first language in other situations. They would be bi lingual which is always a good thing. I wish I was bilingual. I have had 4 years of French, but because I don't practice it, I am not fluent. I think where the US government made a mistake was printing all their official pamphlets, etc. in many many different languages. That takes the impetus away to learn the official language. It's also very costly. It would be cheaper for the government to teach classes in English.