The Slow Death of the Apostrophe
Dec 1st 2019, 6:19 pm
#1
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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The Slow Death of the Apostrophe
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/a...K5xbvnIGe_byhY
"Basic English" has triumphed. "Newspeak" has won. The Proles only need a vocabulary of 600 words.
"Basic English" has triumphed. "Newspeak" has won. The Proles only need a vocabulary of 600 words.
Dec 1st 2019, 7:34 pm
#2
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,543
Re: The Slow Death of the Apostrophe
I think one reason the apostrophe is becoming a lost cause is the autocorrect. For instance, it often inserts “your” or “you’re” seemingly randomly. That is, it doesn’t seem to be intelligent enough to choose the correct spelling according to context. It’s annoying to have to edit your postings and other text to make sure these errors haven’t crept in - but I think it must be very difficult for those who are unsure, who may not know the rules etc., and are reduced to just accepting what autocorrect gives them.
One specific thing in the article. There’s a picture of a road sign, “St Pauls Churchyard” or something. Caption says, apostrophe is missing. Well yes, but it is a national place naming standard now (I believe) to omit apostrophes from street names and other locality names, in all cases. I think it’s a sensible signage rationalization, so long as it’s done consistently.
One specific thing in the article. There’s a picture of a road sign, “St Pauls Churchyard” or something. Caption says, apostrophe is missing. Well yes, but it is a national place naming standard now (I believe) to omit apostrophes from street names and other locality names, in all cases. I think it’s a sensible signage rationalization, so long as it’s done consistently.
Dec 1st 2019, 9:37 pm
#3
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Joined: May 2012
Location: Cayman Islands
Posts: 4,997
Re: The Slow Death of the Apostrophe
And what about the hyphen? In America, they haven't used it for years. I love hyphens!
And italics!
And italics!
Dec 1st 2019, 10:50 pm
#4
Concierge
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 21,139
Re: The Slow Death of the Apostrophe
I think one reason the apostrophe is becoming a lost cause is the autocorrect. For instance, it often inserts “your” or “you’re” seemingly randomly. That is, it doesn’t seem to be intelligent enough to choose the correct spelling according to context. It’s annoying to have to edit your postings and other text to make sure these errors haven’t crept in - but I think it must be very difficult for those who are unsure, who may not know the rules etc., and are reduced to just accepting what autocorrect gives them.
One specific thing in the article. There’s a picture of a road sign, “St Pauls Churchyard” or something. Caption says, apostrophe is missing. Well yes, but it is a national place naming standard now (I believe) to omit apostrophes from street names and other locality names, in all cases. I think it’s a sensible signage rationalization, so long as it’s done consistently.
One specific thing in the article. There’s a picture of a road sign, “St Pauls Churchyard” or something. Caption says, apostrophe is missing. Well yes, but it is a national place naming standard now (I believe) to omit apostrophes from street names and other locality names, in all cases. I think it’s a sensible signage rationalization, so long as it’s done consistently.
Dec 2nd 2019, 2:58 am
#5
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Re: The Slow Death of the Apostrophe
Dec 2nd 2019, 3:49 am
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Re: The Slow Death of the Apostrophe
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_English
The basis for Orwell's "Newspeak" It has all come to pass
The basis for Orwell's "Newspeak" It has all come to pass
Dec 2nd 2019, 4:18 am
#7
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 0
Re: The Slow Death of the Apostrophe
Dec 2nd 2019, 7:59 am
#9
Heading for Poppyland
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Dec 2nd 2019, 8:06 am
#10
Heading for Poppyland
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Re: The Slow Death of the Apostrophe
When I first lived in the US, I meticulously used US spelling in work and other US contexts, and British spelling when writing home to my sister etc. After a few years, I said “**** it,” and deliberately mixed & matched spelling. With my sister, I also deliberately use American usages just to annoy her. (As in: “Robin, would you like some more potatoes?” Me: “I’m good, thanks.”)
Dec 2nd 2019, 8:39 am
#11
Concierge
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 21,139
Re: The Slow Death of the Apostrophe
When I first lived in the US, I meticulously used US spelling in work and other US contexts, and British spelling when writing home to my sister etc. After a few years, I said “**** it,” and deliberately mixed & matched spelling. With my sister, I also deliberately use American usages just to annoy her. (As in: “Robin, would you like some more potatoes?” Me: “I’m good, thanks.”)
Dec 2nd 2019, 1:04 pm
#12
Yo
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 24,474
Re: The Slow Death of the Apostrophe
When I first lived in the US, I meticulously used US spelling in work and other US contexts, and British spelling when writing home to my sister etc. After a few years, I said “**** it,” and deliberately mixed & matched spelling. With my sister, I also deliberately use American usages just to annoy her. (As in: “Robin, would you like some more potatoes?” Me: “I’m good, thanks.”)
Dec 2nd 2019, 6:56 pm
#13
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Re: The Slow Death of the Apostrophe
Dec 2nd 2019, 9:09 pm
#15
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