I write in reply to Grumpy Old Bloke’s letter entitled “Butchering the English language” in your paper of October 18-24.
As a “Grumpy Old Sheila” with 65 years’ experience as a stenographer, yes, we write what we HEAR not what is spelt.
On transcriibing “what we heard”, we were required to be able to competently and accurately spell words, insert correct punctuation and use grammar correctly.
Otherwise, we didn’t have a job!
Coupled with learning the Latin language for two years, this skill and profession has stood me in good stead all through my life.
“And” also is a “joining word” so no comma required! Commas are for pauses as G’O’B’ says.
I am horrified at what I see today:
(a) Grade 3 nouns “pluralised” by the insertion of the apostrophe – but, then again, only done to SOME nouns in a paragraph not all’ Why? Oh why? Pin the tail on the donkey stuff.
(b) As for 12am and 12pm – this is a totally incorrect way of advising time. Two years of Latin told me just what time to come for either luncheon or a midnight feast. It is “noon”, “midday” or “midnight” when correctly written.
Google it arrd you will learn something about military time and/or the 24-hour clock. I have explained t0 some of my grandchildren how simple military time is. Thank you Latin once again.
As for Generation whatever now claim full stops are abusive, as are capital letters and bolded text, what utter rubbish.
Words convey a message. Wrong words/spelling used convey an incorrect message. Bring back Latin into the school curriculum for starters!
“Grumpy Old, Old Sheila”
Name and address supplied.
