Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2003 22:13:48 +0100 From: Charlie Clark <charlie@begeistert.org> To: Lal Manavado <manavado@frisurf.no> Cc: FREEBSD-NEWBIES@FREEBSD.ORG Subject: Re: OT Humble Pie (was hardw words) Message-ID: <20030323221348.772.5@wonderland.1048452081.fake> In-Reply-To: <007c01c2f1cc$52d35840$c9204382@tocom> References: <KAEAKMACDAGFNDDHIBJIOEGPCAAA.davidc@huyett.com> <20030314121550.J67648@welearn.com.au> <007c01c2f1cc$52d35840$c9204382@tocom>
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On 2003-03-24 at 07:12:10 [+0100], Lal Manavado wrote: > In our considered by not humble opinion, , the example terms provided > here should represent a part of the vocabulary of any speaker of English > worth his salt. And why should your opinion not be humble? Mine certainly is: the more I know the more I realise how little I know and I'm sure I'm misquoting someone there. The majority of computer users do not have English as their first language so it is unfair to expect extensive command of the English language. I'm a native speaker and even have a degree in English and I'd have trouble explaining all the terms that Sue listed. Indeed that even native speakers have trouble is evidenced in the following "pocket reference" from the University of Texas. http://thunderheart.pvc.maricopa.edu/help/ccrl20.html > The whole issue, in our view, is inseparable from the fact that some > people lack a sufficient command of English and that defficiency spills > over to every field when such people try to understand the vocabulary of > a new area. oh, really. "cat" is a small mammal generally kept as a house pet. "man" is definitely not a guide or a handbook. And by the way it's spelled/spelt (yes, both are correct) "deficiency". Jargon is a known problem in any specialised area. Words are often willingly hijacked, etymologically incorrect words are common and abbreviations are far too common. HTH. It is a fact that everybody has to start somewhere or were you born able to use the shell? Tbis list is for users who are new to FreeBSD wanting to start. > We propose that those who find unix terminology dense or obtuse, to take > some pains to enhance their own fluency in that tongue in which the Bard > spake so well, and we venture to wager that would improve their own > perspicacity and perspicuity pertaining to many a thing, FreeBSD included. By the "Bard", we assume you mean William Shakespeare, or was it Shakespare? His own spelling of the name was inconsistent so he's hardly a good author(ity) to cite - notice the shift in meaning there? Regards Charlie Clark PS. Even if you're mail was supposed to ironic, remember irony and sarcasm don't translate very well. PPS. Answers to this are probably best off-list. To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-newbies" in the body of the message
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