View Full Version : Profeshnul standards iz slipn init
Have been helping a client with the insurance aspects of some tense contract negotiations with their customer over the last few days.
It's been pretty tricky - obviously things get much simpler when the lawyers get involved:rolleyes: - but we finally got it over the line this afternoon and were indulging in the usual round of mutual love-in congratulatory e-mails.
The last one I received, from a professional organisation, was not only sprinkled with a smattering of text speak but also contained a smiley bloody face, thus :).
I don't wish to appear old fashioned, but really, whatever next?
Surprised? I almost knocked over my inkwell.
It's just not cricket! ;)
MisterTommyH
10-12-10, 06:32 PM
u 1er c wot skule kidz rite in ther buks 2day. 'n tchers cnt x it out
You should see some of the e-mails I get when people are appealing declined insurance claims. You'd think they were trying to talk to their friend from the hood rather than an insurance company...
I don't understand it and don't want to use it. Send them all to university for free. That is what I say!
Stonesie
10-12-10, 07:13 PM
I hate text talk, and people who actually speek it...
Even my text's are in as near proper English as I can get, my spelling is not the best though.
littleoldman
10-12-10, 07:26 PM
I don't understand it and don't want to use it. Send them all to university for free. That is what I say!
thats where they learned to text.
Dear Sirs
We refer to our 'email' of even date herewith on the project concerning the construction contract at Numptyville. Please return same duly executed. We consider that we have obtained an excellent result for our mutual client who frankly doesn't know his **** from his elbow:D.
Might we take this opportunity to thank you for your esteemed services:D
Yours faithfully
Laws Ajoke Solicitors
thats where they learned to text.
Surely you can't text with a Blue alcopop bottle in one hand and a large Donner kebab in the other?
maviczap
10-12-10, 08:17 PM
Ironic, as today is national plain English day isn't it?
slark01
10-12-10, 08:19 PM
u 1er c wot skule kidz rite in ther buks 2day. 'n tchers cnt x it out
What?
Ste.
Dave20046
10-12-10, 08:20 PM
Surprised? I almost knocked over my inkwell.
:lol:
I'm the same, professionals send me poorly constructed emails with spelling errors all over and the occasional 'lolz' - I can't believe it. I asked one the other day if he emailed off his phone and apparently he doesn't!
Internal emails that's almost fair enough ,but organisation to organisation??
A solicitor was sending me cack emails the other day, I thought if I was paying for their service I'd kick off!
I treat an email as I would a letter, (obviously unless it's to someone I know very well).
MisterTommyH
10-12-10, 08:35 PM
What?
Ste.
Ha ha.
You want to see what school kids write in their books today. And teachers can't cross it out!
Apparently unless your an English teacher you're not allowed to correct grammar or spelling because thats not your job.
Dave20046
10-12-10, 08:46 PM
Ha ha.
You want to see what school kids write in their books today. And teachers can't cross it out!
Apparently unless your an English teacher you're not allowed to correct grammar or spelling because thats not your job.
Please tell me that's B******s?
I was looking over a colleague's shoulder the other day and (patronisingly!) correcting his grammar after three prompts I had to tell himt hat he should be typing "they're" not 'there', 'their' or 'thier'. Then again this is the same chap that was carefully constructing an email and asked me how you spell "reight" (or rate). I had to explain dialect to him and that the spelling was actually "right".
Gah it's not easy being a pedantic tw4t.
Ha ha.
Apparently unless your an English teacher you're not allowed to correct grammar or spelling because thats not your job.
Then I'll resist the temptation to correct yours;)
I'm a solicitor. I hate the use of archaisms and equally the modern drift towards being trendy - 'lolz' indeed:rolleyes:
MisterTommyH
10-12-10, 08:56 PM
Please tell me that's B******s?
I was looking over a colleague's shoulder the other day and (patronisingly!) correcting his grammar after three prompts I had to tell himt hat he should be typing "they're" not 'there', 'their' or 'thier'. Then again this is the same chap that was carefully constructing an email and asked me how you spell "reight" (or rate). I had to explain dialect to him and that the spelling was actually "right".
Gah it's not easy being a pedantic tw4t.
I wish it was B******s! Can't say that it's policy, but it certainly happens in some places. One of my ex's was a teacher and the abbreviations I used to see in the kids coursework (not just workbooks) was incredible. I asked why she hadn't corrected it, and was shocked to learn that the English department had stopped any other department correcting spelling etc. This was an academy too.....the future of our education system.
Then I'll resist the temptation to correct yours;)
I'm a solicitor. I hate the use of archaisms and equally the modern drift towards being trendy - 'lolz' indeed:rolleyes:
Please do. I like to think my English isn't that bad, but there is always room to learn.
Dear Sirs
We refer to our 'email' of even date herewith on the project concerning the construction contract at Numptyville. Please return same duly executed. We consider that we have obtained an excellent result for our mutual client who frankly doesn't know his **** from his elbow:D.
Might we take this opportunity to thank you for your esteemed services:D
Yours faithfully
Laws Ajoke Solicitors
Sir,
I refer to yours of 10th inst. and regret I am unable to return the contract as agreed.
As you will no doubt be aware, our mutual client has almost entirely disregarded our advice on this matter. It would appear that he was distracted by a particularly challenging level of "Angry Birds" during our most recent meeting.
Unfortunately, this has led to the precise circumstances outlined in your earlier emails coming to fruition.
Our mutual client has instructed me to liaise with your goodselves in order to "sort it out" and has now ****ed off to Florida for three weeks.
LOL, WTF etc.
Fixed Fee Insurance Brokers
OK Tommy, you did ask...
Apparently unless you're an English teacher, you're not allowed to correct grammar or spelling because that's not your job.
Wifey used to teach History at the University of Exeter. The majority of her students - all final year students at that - had poor written English. One in particular stands out - he used to use semi-colons excessively. So Anne confronted him. He explained that he had never been taught correct syntax at school, and therefore guessed that if he used a semi-colon every few lines then he would get at least some of them right.
Dave20046
10-12-10, 09:15 PM
I wish it was B******s! Can't say that it's policy, but it certainly happens in some places. One of my ex's was a teacher and the abbreviations I used to see in the kids coursework (not just workbooks) was incredible. I asked why she hadn't corrected it, and was shocked to learn that the English department had stopped any other department correcting spelling etc. This was an academy too.....the future of our education system.
Please do. I like to think my English isn't that bad, but there is always room to learn.
Oh dear. :neutral:
MisterTommyH
10-12-10, 09:16 PM
It's a fair cop Ed. The trouble is that I know how to use all of the punctuation you just corrected. Must try harder.
Although I get by, I was never succesfully taught the different types of words (verbs etc.) and syntax is a foreign word to me. I never even used a semi-colon until I had to write formal reports (rather than essays) in the final few modules at University. I also can't recite my times tables, even though I have an A level in maths. I think sometimes the basics just get lost.
timwilky
10-12-10, 09:19 PM
Unfortunately, I am in a similar position. I feel I was never properly taught English despite being awarded an 'O' level in the subject.
For some reason, the school I attended was more interested in producing fodder for the factories than educating children.
My mother is Catholic and insisted on Catholic education for us (me, brother and sister). So brother and I attended St Joseph's Academy, Blackheath, south London. 1968 - 1972. De La Salle Brothers, who were ruthless with the cane and the strap. I learned as I didn't want to get a beating.
I never even used a semi-colon.
You're in the majority there (with me!). I remember speaking to a Uni professor a few years ago about how they spot plagiarism. He told me the number one indicator that work had been lifted straight out a book or off the internet was CORRECT use of semi-colons.
Wifey ued to ask her students to talk about their theories.
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