Why punctuation matters.

[Angilion]

I think that Lynne Truss expresses the reason in a particularly eloquent way:

We have a language that is full of ambiguities; we have a way of expressing ourselves that is often complex and allusive, poetic and modulated; all our thoughts can be rendered with absolute clarity if we bother to put the right dots and squiggles between the words in the right places. Proper punctuation is both the sign and the cause of clear thinking. If it goes, the degree of intellectual impoverishment we face is unimaginable.

It gets on my nerves when the moderate position (i.e. a preference for at least vaguely accurate language, with very good reason) is referred to as being akin to Nazism.

 

[JIM_BOB7813]

 

[Darkwave]

It gets on my nerves when the moderate position (i.e. a preference for at least vaguely accurate language, with very good reason) is referred to as being akin to Nazism.

I agree. I get called a grammar Nazi all the time, even though I don't correct the spelling of others.

Nice quote, by the way. Hopefully it'll give some people here something to think about.

Snip picture.

Hahahaha!!

 

[Zefan]

I agree. I get called a grammar Nazi all the time, even though I don't correct the spelling of others.

Well that makes sense really, as spelling isn't the same as grammar. If you correct someones spelling then you should expect to be called a "spelling" Nazi.

 

[Darkwave]

Well that makes sense really, as spelling isn't the same as grammar.

I don't correct anyone's grammar either though.

 

[Zefan]

I don't correct anyone's grammar either though.

Oh right, well why didn't you say?

 

[Mat]

Getting it wrong can be costly.

 

[Darkwave]

Oh right, well why didn't you say?

No idea. Just thought it'd follow naturally from the spelling thing.

 

[Gilly]

Oh right, well why didn't you say?

Saying nazi

 

[Darkwave]

Saying nazi

I thought it best if I didn't say something like this.

 

[Mat]

Saying nazi

Nazi identification nazi

 

[Zefan]

Saying nazi

I knew someone would catch on

 

[Tefal]

Getting it wrong can be costly.

It's all right there on page seven of the contract, where it states that the agreement "shall continue in force for a period of five years from the date it is made, and thereafter for successive five year terms, unless and until terminated by one year prior notice in writing by either party.”

The devil is in the details--or, more specifically, in the second comma. “Based on the rules of punctuation,” observed the CRTC regulators, the comma in question “allows for the termination of the [contract] at any time, without cause, upon one-year's written notice.”

That just hurts my head

A . means multiply damn it!

 

[semi-pro waster]

That just hurts my head

A . means multiply damn it!

A full stop means multiply? That is going to be terribly unfortunate for the monetary system.

The sentence is fairly complex but try reading almost any high value contract and your head will start to spin as you check back through all the subordinate clauses. It certainly doesn't get any better when reading acts drafted by Parliament, or even worse statutory instruments where you frequently have to refer between it and the act that it amends/fleshes out.

 

[Meridian]

It certainly doesn't get any better when reading acts drafted by Parliament, or even worse statutory instruments where you frequently have to refer between it and the act that it amends/fleshes out.

And I quote:

Any preparation of one or more of the substances to which this paragraph applies, not being a preparation designed for administration by injection, when compounded with one or more other active or inert ingredients and containing a total of not more than 100 milligrammes of the substance or substances (calculated as base) per dosage unit or with a total concentration of not more than 2.5 per cent (calculated as base) in undivided preparations.

And I notice that the renewal form for anti-terrorist clearance wants to know if I have duel (sic) nationality.


M

 

[Zefan]

I also noticed spelling errors in armed forces recruitment packs.

 

[Angilion]

Well that makes sense really, as spelling isn't the same as grammar. If you correct someones spelling then you should expect to be called a "spelling" Nazi.

I would be surprised if someone who called someone else a grammar Nazi is educated enough to know the difference between spelling and grammar.

 

[Lysander]

Why, punctuation matters?

Why punctuation? Matters!

Hmph.

 

[The Dread Pirate]

They're not Nazis they're critics We should all know this by now seeing as everyones a critic!

 

[semi-pro waster]

They're not Nazis, they're critics. We should all know this by now seeing as everyone's a critic!

I can only hope you did that to make a point but I couldn't help myself.