Spilling

And while on the subject of lenses - I wonder if the 560 5.6 is actually a lense (and therefore does not really exist...)

Actually the 's' or 'z' variants in spelling some words is not a US UK difference, but an Oxford English Cambridge English difference. Unlike many languages in the world, we have no central organisation dictating spelling.

In Romania, for example, the correct spelling of words is laid down by the Romanian Academy. In the communist period, there was an attempt to minimise how Latin the language looked which was changed in 1992 to partially revert to older spellings. 'Sint' (with a circumflex over the i) meaning 'I am' became 'sunt' and 'piine' (again with a circumflex over the first i) meaning bread became 'paine' (with a circumflex over the 'a').

Language is a fascinating thing! I still cannot stomach "fixe's" though.

K.

Quite right it should be "fixiz"

I can't remember if paine or pane is old English for pain

Those for whom English is their first language should feel it their duty at least to attempt to write correctly on the forum, if only for the benefit of the understanding of those members for whom it is not.

Philip

This is a photography forum. You don't need an O Level to be interested in photography.

So anyone who doesn't have a great command of the written language, please don't be put off by any of this.

Each to their own though I have an intense dislike of text speak on forums. That isn't a literacy issue, its just downright rude, although in 20 years time I suppose it may be the norm.

Omg this has got me lmfao. Is this the Bourgeoisie looking down at the proletariat.

I agree with that especially when people mis-spell my surname. I'm not sure what the legal implications of this would be say I was served with a summons with a mis-spelt surname and chose to ignore it

It could in principle be 'can I' but dougf8 is correct to suppose that I really meant - and should have written - 'may I'.

On the other hand, ronniemac, your local dictionary (I notice you are from Oxford) gives a 'z' spelling as its first preference for 'recognize', with 's' as an alternative.

johnriley and Algernon are correct to suggest that spelling and grammar are not immutable. Even elements that are helpful to sense (such as the possessive apostrophe) are liable to erosion over time and new habits and practices are always on the march.

And let's not forget the photographer's motto - that a picture is worth a thousand words, whatever their spelling.

No, it is about maintaining a reasonable standard of English, so that anyone, anywhere in the world, might understand the content of each post.

Omg? lmfao? (I had to research the meanings of these.)

It is to be hoped that anyone, whether they belong to your imagined "Bourgeoisie" or "proletariat", would be equally disappointed by your corruption of the English language, and utterly disgusted by the lack of respect you show for others by using such terms on this forum.

Philip

For gawds sake, some people really need to get a life. If you have to research the meaning of OMG or LMAO, you really are seriously out of touch, no matter what your personal opinion of such terms are. I have my 'pet hates' - 'lense' being numero uno amongst them. But as long as posts are understandable, I don't really mind the occasional spelling mistake. The only posts I really struggle with are the ones lacking punctuation, particularly when done entirely in capital letters...

Calm down and carry on seems a good message just now. We do get excited sometimes about things which are not worth getting insulting about.

We're not here to mark posts as though they were mini-essays....

Second that. My original request was quite modest/lighthearted (I thought). Didn't mean to start the language wars....

ROLF

This might be what John refers to as "insulting", but it could be viewed as one of the positive aspects in a fulfilled life.

It is good to see that you too have standards - which is the essence of several previous contributions.

Philip

4eva more, as long as I remember, from this day 4th,so god help me eye'll neva spill lenz or fixis corectly agin