Use of English

[SARID]

I recently had a discussion with an English teacher about the correct use of "younger" and "Youngest".
I was taught "the younger of two" and "youngest of three" was correct.She told me that, in her opinion
it no longer mattered, and " Youngest of two" was quite acceptable!

[WC1]

Please tell me it wasn't anyone from the Grammar School!

[4th gen Suthen']

root him out and string him, or her, up by the thumbs WC1

[Beachcomber]

There was someone from the university of Bangor on the television just recently saying how we should do away with the apostrophe because a lot of people don't know when you should or shouldn't use it.

I've already begun sharpening the bamboo slivvers....

[gizmo]

Slivers surely....

[Govangirl]

I will never, ever support any plan to get rid of the apostrophe. It is needed for clarity. Full stop!

However, the grammar problem posed by SARID as above doesn’t really matter does it? It is known as the superlative of two. For the purist, if you compare two entities alone, then a superlative (youngest) should not be used. Nevertheless, the superlative of two has been used since at least the 17th century, and has been used by writers such as Fielding, Austen, Hemingway and Boswell. And if it’s good enough for them . . .

I do hope that poor English teacher that's been so maligned on here is still in possession of her thumbs!!!!!

[EMDEE]

To me, the adjectives "youngest" and "oldest" indicate that there are at least three, and "younger" and "older" (or elder) suggest a comparison between two. As far as I knew that was correct. Why change the rules just because some people do not observe them?

[£3.73]

Don't let me derail this thread ... consider this a wee aside

The english language isn't a dead language, it constantly evolves, new words are added daily.
Spelling and punctuation constantly evolve too.

What we are talking about is a means of communication. As the mediums evolve (net, mobiles etc), and we increasingly integrate Americanisms & stuff from other cultures .... can someone please explain to me the relevance of rule books written last century? Are they definative? Did the English language stop at that point?

It's not that I dislike grammar nazis, more a need to know these things !

Countdown for the mobile phone generation - "can I have 9 consonants please ....."

[petewick]

root him out and string him, or her, up by the thumbs WC1

Aye, I wonder if old Horace is still in the school.
He would sort them out goodstyle.

[SARID]

Don't worry WC1 ! The teacher concerned doesn't teach at the Grammar. She teaches at one of the Edinburgh Schools, where it costs a fortune to have your child on the role.
I was taught English in the Grammar School, Campbeltown, many moons ago.

[EMDEE]

root him out and string him, or her, up by the thumbs WC1

Aye, I wonder if old Horace is still in the school.
He would sort them out goodstyle.

Horace could be an effective educator at times!

I believe he was a native of Lochgelly.

[SARID]

I get irritated when I hear the expression "looking to buy " instead of "hoping to buy ".
Also,when both male and female are referred as "you guys ".
Perhaps i'm just getting old!!

[petewick]

Aye, I wonder if old Horace is still in the school.
He would sort them out goodstyle.[/quote]

Horace could be an effective educator at times!

I believe he was a native of Lochgelly. [/quote]

Aye, one of the Lochgelly Blacks was Horace, his custodian was a well liked Modern Studies/ History Teacher.

[Govangirl]

Don't let me derail this thread ... consider this a wee aside

The english language isn't a dead language, it constantly evolves, new words are added daily.
Spelling and punctuation constantly evolve too.

What we are talking about is a means of communication. As the mediums evolve (net, mobiles etc), and we increasingly integrate Americanisms & stuff from other cultures .... can someone please explain to me the relevance of rule books written last century? Are they definative? Did the English language stop at that point?

It's not that I dislike grammar nazis, more a need to know these things !

Countdown for the mobile phone generation - "can I have 9 consonants please ....."

£3.73, I love you! We can always rely on you to give a sensible post. Of course language is always changing and evolving - Shakespeare knew that more than anyone and was constantly adding words and phrases and finding new ways to say things. This has been going on for centuries by cleverer (note: a comparative of two ) folk than anyone on here. We can't be precious about language rules unless it's necessary - for goodness sake, people in this thread having a go about these rules have got spelling mistakes in their posts!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shock horror! Call the Grammar and Spelling Polis'!!!!!!

The world has changed in a million ways since I was at school but our language is still important - to think with, to communicate with, to dream with, to write with, to text with, to pray with and hope with. It endures but it changes and grows and evolves and we can manipulate it. Than goodness for that.

There's another post on another thread on this forum, posted in the last few days, which has a few grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors but is the best structured and passionate use of language I've read in a long time (don't want to embarrass him!) and I know which I prefer!

[SARID]

I'm sitting waiting for a visit from the Grammar and Spelling Polis, Govan Girl. I 've just realised in a "post" a wee bit earlier I typed "role" instead of "Roll"----and me a former pupil of the Grammar School back in the fifties.Please feel free to point out any mistakes I make, or made .I'm always willing to learn.