The Slow Death of the Apostrophe
#1
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2012
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Posts: 9,740
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.
#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.
#3
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Joined: May 2012
Location: Cayman Islands
Posts: 4,998
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!
#4
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.
#5
Re: The Slow Death of the Apostrophe
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Joined: Nov 2012
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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
#9
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,543
#10
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,543
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.”)
#11
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.”)
#12
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.”)