I agree, Jez. Evolution through ignorance is not evolution. And yes, from the
extract I might not enjoy the author's attitude to language.
Chris
C M I Barker | Gamlingay
> On 6 Nov 2013, at 09:25, Jez Cunningham <jez@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> From what I understand it's the sort of book that might annoy me - I think
> it aims to say that language evolves and whatever is current is ok. I don't
> really agree. Sure language has to evolve, but without structure and rules
> you don't guarantee effective communication. It's just like an electronic
> protocol - get a bit/byte wrong and the communication fails. Agreed, we
> humans can make intelligent guesses as to what was intended, but if you
> have to depend on the intelligence of the receiver to correct the errors
> that are transmitted you risk failure.
> jez
>
>
>> On 6 November 2013 05:56, Chris Barker <ftog@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>> I might get that, Jez, thanks.
>>
>> This is the book that I read around 20 years ago: Grammar and Style,
>> Michael Dummett, a university lecturer who tired of the poor English of his
>> students:
>>
>>
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