Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2003 09:37:58 -0800 From: "Lal Manavado" <manavado@frisurf.no> To: <freebsd-newbies@freebsd.org> Subject: Re: OT Humble Pie (was hardw words) Message-ID: <000401c2f619$f4bdf420$aa584382@tocom> References: <KAEAKMACDAGFNDDHIBJIOEGPCAAA.davidc@huyett.com> <20030314121550.J67648@welearn.com.au> <007c01c2f1cc$52d35840$c9204382@tocom> <20030323221348.772.5@wonderland.1048452081.fake>
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We are delighted to see Charlie Clark's response to us. However, it is clear that the estimable Mr. Clarks labours under several misapprehensions. Let us now deal with them with due care and diligence they may merit. First of all, he seems to extol the virtues of humility, but fails to underpin his praise on a logically sound substratum. His ciatation of 'cat' might have been somewhat to the point, had he also pointed out that it stands for catanation, but not to concatanation as many suppose. We ourselves are new to FreeBSD, nor yet have we a background in computer science. We find his remark conflating the ability to spell consistently with literary merit astonishing indeed. Consistent spelling was dictated by the exegencies of printing, and not by academic considerations. One cannot disassociate a field from its peculiar vocabulary. When one wishes to master a field, one is required to acquire its vocabulary, which in many cases is English. Thus, what the learned Mr. Clark calls jargon, is indeed a part of the English lexicon. In many instances, a sound knowledge of non-technical English enables one to deduce it technical meaning, provided that one has some knowledge of the area involved. As for English not being the first language of many a user, it only hightens the cogency of our point; namely, a sound knowledge of English would be of considerable help. There is no logical reason why someone whose second or third tongue is English cannot surpass the so-called native speakers, some of whom merely emit sounds, which they fondly believe to be English. Hail to thee! L. M. ----- Original Message ----- From: Charlie Clark <charlie@begeistert.org> To: Lal Manavado <manavado@frisurf.no> Cc: <FREEBSD-NEWBIES@FREEBSD.ORG> Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2003 1:13 PM Subject: Re: OT Humble Pie (was hardw words) > > 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. > >
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