British government spells end of 'i before e' rule

[Tez3]

That languages are going to change over both time and distance shouldn't really come as any surprise at all. If it didn't we'd all still be grunting and using whatever language our ancestors used. Change can be good for languages... especially as they are forced to keep up with an ever changing world where the language/words must keep up with the speed of that change. I've always been fascinated at the similarities of languages from region to region much more so than the differences.

The OP, though, I think was attempting to get opinions on what others thought regarding a long standing rule being dropped from a very common language. If the "I before E" rule is to be dropped does that mean that either variation of spelling for words that should follow that rule will be accepted? Does it mean that kids simply can't grasp the rule? Does it mean that kids are simply too lazy to worry with the rule? What, really, is the implication of dropping a linguistic rule like that and what does it portend for the language as a whole?

Punctuation and 'proper' English are almost things of the past. Teachers shouldn't correct spelling at school because 'it hinders the students imagination'! I think it may hinder them being articulate and they'll end up frustrated because no one understands them!
Have a look at this, it's from a UK MMA forum on the TUF fights. I've cut and paste it so it's as posted.

"well james wilkes has been one of the standouts in this series i think.welldone mate.long live british mma we are not that far behind the us in wrestleing but we are smart fighters know ."

It doesn't take much frankly to put capitals in proper nouns and by not using them it reads 'us' instead of US, the spelling mistakes are common now. It's not because it's done in a hurry or because its a forum, I see the children's writing when we ask them to do projects etc in the club and it's the same. I've also seen peoples statements when they write them out, a nightmare sometimes!

There are still, thank goodness, plenty who can spell and punctuate and it makes a big difference when you are reading it.
Another one from same thread.

"I trained with Ross up at Sunderland JU-JITSU a couple of years ago and he has got a lot of heart and never gives up. A lot of credit must go to Peter McQeen and Buzz who have had a great influence in where Ross is now. He will go far, he deserves it."

Just makes reading it so much easier and more so if you want to disagree with or agree with it. It makes a conversation rather than the written equivilant of grunting! Imagine what job applications must look like too when people can't write properly!

 

[arnisador]

Where's exile when we need him?

 

[Tez3]

Where's exile when we need him?

I've been thinking about that for a while now.

 

[Big Don]

I know Spanish is spoken a great deal in America too but I'd be interested to know if American Spanish has taken the same turns away from the Spanish commonly spoken in modern Spain today as English has?

My sister's ex-husband is Colombian and worked as a translator at the children's hospital here. He always complained about the Spanish spoken by the Mexicans he translated for.

 

[Ramirez]

Seen here



Have to admit that I learned this with the addendum, and about a hundred other exceptions

"It's heinous!" shrieked the beseiged sheikh with the weird mien, "you cannot induce me to imbibe a surfeit of caffein! I'd as lief have protein!" he said, as he seized a saddle of mutton, and proceeded to munch it beside the weir. :lol:

I have no idea why I was taught that rule either...eight, neighbour, freight, reign, reseign, ....