We had a discussion a week or so ago about how words have different meanings in different parts of the world. We only talked about sewing words. However, it all goes much further and has much more serious implications.
Some words which are deeply profane in English English seem to be quite normal in every day use in other countries. I have come across a few comments here in the last few days which have been, to my eyes, very rude indeed!Sorry to be negative but I just wanted to bring this to everyone's attention.
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I hope I have not been a culprit. Please let me know if I have offended.
1 comment
255050WORDS WORDS WORDS.THEY SAY SICKES AND STONES WILL BRAKE YOUR BONES BUT WORDS WILL NEVER HURT YOU.BUT THEY DO WORDS CUT LIKE A KNIFE.ONCE ITS OUT THERE YOU ANT TAKE IT BACK.I TRY TO WATCH MY WORDS BUT SOME TIMES I MESS UP.SO FORGIVE ME FOR MY SHORT COMINGS AND LOVE ME ANYWAY.....LUCY...
12613While we're having this discussion, Sue, there are words in Proper British English that I don't always know. And there is a great deal of variation in the English sub-dialects and slangs in America, although television and CNN, in particular, has done much to smooth that over. I loved studying linguistics in college and learning how rich our language is. AND, our language continues to evolve. I notice that approval words seem to change every three or four years, and I "date" myself by saying "cool" or worse, "cool beans" for something I like. It was "rad" (as in radical) for awhile and I don't know what it is now!!!
1 comment
66910Is there a private list of examples I can look at? I am not very knowledgeable other than what I see on TV. I wish I could say I watch PBS. I try to keep messages short and sweet so not to offend. I did have one occasion I remember when a comment was removed for this reason, however the offense was not explained to me so there could be not change to my response should something similar happen again.
173693I am a little put off by the way the English language is being destroyed in our country. Words that were never said when I was growing up are common now, used in every day speech, on television and I am offended by most of them. I long for the simpler times when people were more respectful of each other and cared how their words sounded to other people. My parents never used vulgarity and you cannot get away from it today. I do not believe anyone on this site intends to be rude. Like you said, different countries, different meanings. It is a learning for all of us and the translation program my not translate as intended. Thank you for your thoughtful post. Hugs, Barba
6279I have the same problem as Anabela, often I use a translating program to find the right words and than I see the word I´m looking for has more than one meaning.
26010Hello Sue, that is one reason why I do not I comment often. I am conscious that if you put a word in the wrong place of the sentence , you give a different meaning to what you want to say. I think we should keep an open mind, and take these things into consideration, after all we know that in general we are from different countries and there may be difficulty in communication.
big Hug
Bella
6 comments
by spendlove
09 Mar 2016
This is such a friendly community, I would love it if everyone had the confidence to post, whatever their language!
by rescuer
09 Mar 2016
Dear Bella, we hope that you will post as we love to read comments from you. I have never read anything from you that offended me.
by anabela
10 Mar 2016
Hello girls, of course I will continue to post some simple comments, but there are times that I would like to be more active in your discussions, but for that I'm afraid to use words that might not be the most correct, because I do not have the vocabulary .
by rescuer
10 Mar 2016
Post in your preferred language and we can translate. We (well most of us) are very forgiving for any words that do not fit. I know some Cuties learned English here on Cute. Many of us would be so very glad to help you if you need it. I think you do a wonderful job.
by airyfairy
11 Mar 2016
Bella, your English is superb. If I could speak/ write another language as you do , I would be delighted.
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