patsylabrador Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 I gave it a go- He found the bucolic setting quite egregious to his urban soul If I've got it right, do I get a star or a smiley face? I used to think bucolic was something to do with the plague. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Well done I also thought bucolic was something to do with the plague Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 I never heard of bucolic, but when I asked my native speaking colleagues, most of them also confused it with bubonic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 I do love the English language but really fail to see why anyone bothers to learn it as a second language. It's ridiculously complicated - so much so that most of the native population don't know how to use it properly (as evidenced by the anecdotes in this thread) let alone learn a second language As a nation, we find it works much better if we just talk s-l-o-w-l-y and LOUDLY in English if we want to make ourselves understood. Cat Tails, you are a great example of a non native speaker putting the rest of us to shame - your English is impeccable. On the other hand, the letter Chucky Mama received is You definitely need to mark it and send it back, it's got to be worth a few more £££££££ vouchers, surely?! (Just realised I didn't use any paragraphs oh well...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 On the other hand, the letter Chucky Mama received is You definitely need to mark it and send it back, it's got to be worth a few more £££££££ vouchers, surely?! tempting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Go on - I dare you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 .... and post it on their facebook page too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Cat Tails, you are a great example of a non native speaker putting the rest of us to shame - your English is impeccable. On the other hand, the letter Chucky Mama received is You definitely need to mark it and send it back, it's got to be worth a few more £££££££ vouchers, surely?! (Just realised I didn't use any paragraphs oh well...) I doubt my English is impeccable... (Thank you spellchecker!) but thanks anyway! You should really post it on their Facebook and see what they say! Or better yet: send them a coupon of £30 to invest in language courses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 THIS is pretty much like my letter. Even their headed paper address has no capitals other than the postcode. Not even London has a capital. The only capital used is I which is extra annoying as they write my name with no captials It seems it might be a 'cool' new way of writing as there are a couple of other copies on the web. I feel a letter to head office coming on. I might write it all in capitals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Another errant "shall" in the school secretary's latest email . Turns out I'm not the only one it infuriates . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Mark and return it anonymously Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Princess Leia Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Here's a little song, courtesy of Weird Al Yankovich, that most people who enjoy correcting grammar will enjoy (even if he did spell familiarise with a Z). ...and for those who rely on spellcheckers... Eye halve a spelling chequer It came with my pea sea It plainly marques four my revue Miss steaks eye kin knot sea. Eye strike a key and type a word And weight four it two say Weather eye am wrong oar write It shows me strait a weigh. As soon as a mist ache is maid It nose bee fore two long And eye can put the error rite Its rare lea ever wrong. Eye have run this poem threw it I am shore your pleased two no Its letter perfect awl the weigh My chequer tolled me sew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 My bugbear at the moment is people writing Gawjus instead of Gorgeous on social media. I can never work out if they are thick, or its a thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 That is a thing, I reckon. A very stupid thing. I like that poem! I've seen that Youtube clip before, it's great . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 I love weird Al, thanks for the link The only problem is, I just spent half an hour watching some of his other videos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Princess Leia Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Aah, therein lies the problem. You watch one music video and 3 hous later, you're watching a tutorial about how to talk to giraffes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 My son introduced me to Al years ago. I think he's great. But yes - you spot something down the side and whoosh - a couple of hours later and you look up and think oooh heck!!!! Supper! I forgot that one. My grandad used to have supper when he watched the nine o'clock news (closely followed by the ten o'clock news ) and it was one slice of bread and butter with strawberry jam. When I was staying with my grandparents I'd have some cornflakes with some gold top milk from the farm up the road - that was my supper. Nan had a biscuit and a cup of tea. Oh and we had oojits, wotsits, doodahs, and doobries - all versions of thingamagig/bob and thingy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 OK, I decided to Facebook message Wagamama and here is there response - now I am more annoyed than before Me: Why in correspondence (customer service letters) do you not use any capital letters or full stops? It is really poor practice. The only word that has a capital letter is 'I'. You have not even used capital letters for my name or at the end of paragraphs. Wagamama hi rachel, thanks for noticing our unique writing style! it's something that we've done for a while now and feel it makes us a little bit different Me: Sorry, I don't get why it is 'unique' to leave basic punctuation and capital letters out of a letter, especially a letter dealing with a customer issue. Taking into account all of the potential marketing opportunities and niches available to you, who on earth thought this was a good idea? It would be 'unique' to add an expletive to the middle of every sentence, but it doesn't make it a good idea. Trying to appear ‘cool’ does not cut it for me I’m afraid. When preparing legal documents and financial reports, do you leave out all of your punctuation and capital letters or is this little 'quirk' reserved for your customers? Surely your food is where you stand out, not your omission of basic punctuation and the use of capital letters. Out of interest, why is the only capital letter used an I? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 Wahahaaha! But seriously... WHY??? How is it possible that they think not using capital letters is a "thing". And even worse a "thing" that is making your business better? Love your response though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 It isn't a 'thing', it isn't even cool or unique - it looks infantile and uneducated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 It isn't a 'thing', it isn't even cool or unique - it looks infantile and uneducated. I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side you DM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 and you've not even seen my axe and chainsaw seriously, I am pretty even tempered, but some things just get me on my soapbox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 I do love a rant every now and then, I usually steer clear of politics and religion but had a right old go this morning. Lack of manners usually sets me off, that's my trigger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted September 28, 2014 Author Share Posted September 28, 2014 I'm sorry I think their response sounds demeaning. I would be infuriated by that. To use improper English, I think they're taking the mickey. (Wanted to use a stronger word, but don't want to upset anyone ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 Unique writing style?!! Eh? CM, have you had a reply to your last comment to them yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
