tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38560481.post6087123792888999705..comments2023-04-10T04:17:16.433-04:00Comments on The Transcontinental: WordsmithyAndrew W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00071098030747838202noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38560481.post-3379442843385424412008-01-04T00:44:00.000-05:002008-01-04T00:44:00.000-05:00there is a simple english (basic english?) version...there is a simple english (basic english?) version of the wikipedia.<BR/><BR/>well, i refuse to say anything political, but the issue isnt classist -- some of our *leaders* can't speak (and think, either) and trying to teach them the complexities of the English language is probably a hopeless proposition. getting some of our great leaders to speak in think in clear english might not be a bad idea, actually. :)Sir Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07953581535133000686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38560481.post-8323614477640767022008-01-03T09:52:00.000-05:002008-01-03T09:52:00.000-05:00Gawain, there was a creature called Basic English,...Gawain, there was a creature called Basic English, developed and proselytized by C.K. Ogden, the translator of the Tractatus, among other things. <BR/><BR/>He went to great lengths to sell it as an auxilliary language a l'Esperanto, but to no avail.<BR/><BR/>I should say that I heartily support these kinds of efforts. However, the plain language movement sets out more to limit language than to ease its use.Andrew W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00071098030747838202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38560481.post-58659002150934358622008-01-03T00:04:00.000-05:002008-01-03T00:04:00.000-05:00there was once something called Simple English -- ...there was once something called Simple English -- designed by I A Richard(son?), i think. i thought it was a brilliant idea: it was not for the natives -- the lower orders you imagine. it was for all the rest of us who have to use this damn language to get things done with it, but would really prefer to wordsmith in Swahili or some such; and when it comes to English, just want a good and simple tool with which to open cans and the like.Sir Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07953581535133000686noreply@blogger.com