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From: jlw@minn-ua.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: Re: Spelling and usage - (nf)
Message-ID: <364@minn-ua.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 18-Jun-83 07:03:01 EDT
Article-I.D.: minn-ua.364
Posted: Sat Jun 18 07:03:01 1983
Date-Received: Wed, 22-Jun-83 12:35:12 EDT
Lines: 54

#R:sri-arpa:-210600:minn-ua:6500001:000:1526
minn-ua!jlw    Jun 17 23:05:00 1983

***** minn-ua:net.micro / sri-arpa!UUCP / 10:55 pm  Jun 13, 1983
    .
    .
    .
    any person to know, programmer or not, is their native tongue (e.g.,
					      ^^^^^ number (should be "his")
					   usage: should be "i.e." ^^^^
    English).  Written and verbal communication is a skill that can always
		number (should be "are skills") ^^^^^^^^^^
    be improved.  Clear and accurate communication, whether to people
    or to computers, requires clear thinking.  Poor language indicates a
		     ^^^^^^^^ number (should be "require")
    .
    .
    .
----------

Semantics.  To wit:

	Written communication and verbal communication are skills that
	can always be improved.

	BUT

	Communication that is both written and verbal is a skill that 
	can always be improved.

	Likewise:

	Clear communication and accurate communication require clear
	thinking.

	BUT

	Commumincation that is both clear and accurate requires clear
	thinking.

In the original, I presume that the intent of the first instance is 
of the plural form, and the second is singular.

The use of "their" is yet another attempt to solidify its position as
a genderless pronoun.  Someday popular usage may render it correct.

Substituting "i.e." for "e.g." implies that if one is a programmer then
one's maternal tongue is English.  Leaving "e.g." permits one's maternal 
tongue to be French, Russian, Chinese, or whatever.

				Yours in parlance,
				Jeff Woolsey
				University of Minnesota Computer Center
				...ihnp4!stolaf!umn-cs!minn-ua!jlw