Comments on: British councils ban Latin words http://www.badlanguage.net/british-councils-ban-latin-words Writing, marketing and technology Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:56:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: DaSuthNa http://www.badlanguage.net/british-councils-ban-latin-words/comment-page-1#comment-526362 DaSuthNa Wed, 01 Apr 2009 03:17:15 +0000 http://www.badlanguage.net/british-councils-ban-latin-words#comment-526362 Surely some of the examples given here would be classed as full english by now, with their loan-word origin a mere footnote in history? Bottom line should be: are the words well known, do they aid clear precise communication? If a council operates in a community where the answer is "no" then I guess comms policy needs to reflect this somewhat. But to hear that "ad hoc", a well-understood native, international, business and technical english phrase, is to be dropped rather worries me. I wonder about the effectiveness of a council that is lowering its standards and expectations, and also about the calibre of the councilors and their fitness for the job. Surely some of the examples given here would be classed as full english by now, with their loan-word origin a mere footnote in history?

Bottom line should be: are the words well known, do they aid clear precise communication? If a council operates in a community where the answer is “no” then I guess comms policy needs to reflect this somewhat.

But to hear that “ad hoc”, a well-understood native, international, business and technical english phrase, is to be dropped rather worries me. I wonder about the effectiveness of a council that is lowering its standards and expectations, and also about the calibre of the councilors and their fitness for the job.

]]> By: Ally S http://www.badlanguage.net/british-councils-ban-latin-words/comment-page-1#comment-522356 Ally S Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:36:51 +0000 http://www.badlanguage.net/british-councils-ban-latin-words#comment-522356 Generally, I would agree with this. But I've found recently that non-native English speakers actually find it easier when you use words with latinate roots. Just a note that when you do use phrases like 'on the fly', you need to be mindful of your audience's level of understanding. Generally, I would agree with this. But I’ve found recently that non-native English speakers actually find it easier when you use words with latinate roots. Just a note that when you do use phrases like ‘on the fly’, you need to be mindful of your audience’s level of understanding.

]]> By: ballywick http://www.badlanguage.net/british-councils-ban-latin-words/comment-page-1#comment-521358 ballywick Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:18:01 +0000 http://www.badlanguage.net/british-councils-ban-latin-words#comment-521358 g8! no1 needs latin ne way i h8 it itz a cwot* b4 itz 2 confusing w/o latin ne1 can understand english n we can talk lyk diz kwim**? *complete waste of time ** know what I mean? g8! no1 needs latin ne way

i h8 it itz a cwot*

b4 itz 2 confusing

w/o latin ne1 can understand english

n we can talk lyk diz

kwim**?

*complete waste of time
** know what I mean?

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