Communicating- passing on information is what language is about,. Not correctness!
2007-12-05 14:35:16 · 7 answers · asked by Pacito 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Yes - I was just throwing a bone to see what others had to say. I love the answers. Thank you!
2007-12-06 00:01:57 · update #1
Pacito, I hope you're just throwing a bone here, and not expressing your real opinion, as it would be controversial coming from a TC in Languages. The additional text you supplied is also contradictory - for how do you intend to pass on information without it being correct? I don't think it's possible and I agree with Snow Globe 100%.
Try it on this particular question: make an effort and express your opinion on the answers given. You can choose to say simply "I agree" or "I don't agree" but we still won't know the real information you wanted to pass.
Language is not a perfect tool, but it strives for perfection, and that is a worthwhile effort. The least we can do is try not to abuse it.
2007-12-05 19:15:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I completely agree. However, this "correctness" that you speak of is an essential tool to this communication. The problem that we face is that if we let little things go, not caring about correctness, slowly the language will lose the ability to communicate in a very clear manner. So, whatever language you communicate in, do it right.
2007-12-05 14:44:21 · answer #2 · answered by someone2841 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Things should be as correct as they can for everyone to understand what message you're trying to get across. How many times has a person asked you to repeat something because your wording of a sentence or phrase was wrong? Ever play "telephone" as a kid? And the person at the end of the line somehow gets "Danny eats smelly cheese" instead of "Pass the peas, please?", something TOTALLY different than the intended message! Correctness is important for communication, but passing on information is what communication is...
2007-12-05 14:51:29 · answer #3 · answered by 23chromosomes 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hmm my mother tongue is mandarin. Main language used here is english. To me, both are very useful, whether it's personal or business.
Now China is striving, more business dealings with the chinese, therefore speaking and knowing Mandarin defitnitely helps.
As for english, it's a universal communication tool.
So i guess as a Singaporean, we have a great advantage over others.
2007-12-05 14:56:45 · answer #4 · answered by lronche81 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Correctness" helps us zero in on meaning. The larger our vocabulary and the more exact our sentence structure, the better we are able to express what we want to say, and the better we are able to understand what others are saying. The beauty and profundity of literature would become vague, bland, and shallow without it. So many problems in the world result from our inability to express and understand. Without attention to these things, we would be communicating less and less.
2007-12-05 14:46:05 · answer #5 · answered by Snow Globe 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
what do you mean by "correctness"? i don't understand.
**ADDED**
Ohhh! I get it now. Well, it's like the last poster said...if you're going to speak a language, do it right! Where do you think "Spanglish" came from? Sloppy spanish mixed with english...sad, but true.
2007-12-05 14:38:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
hmm.. as long as u can understand each other by any language, then its no importante. inchendes, senior?
2007-12-05 20:21:59 · answer #7 · answered by j0r0 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋