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 Mon Jun 02, 2008 13:00 pm My two cents |
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Nobody can stop you from using 'complicate' in the original sentence (i.e. in the other 'complicate' thread) if you are determined to do so. Whether that's the best word to use in that sentence is another question entirely.
I would suggest that the particular version of English (i.e. Australian, American, British, Nigerian, Indian, etc.) has nothing whatsoever to do with whether 'complicate' is the best choice of words in sweetpumpkin's original question.
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Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English |
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Yankee
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Location: Northeast US
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| Mon Jun 02, 2008 18:22 pm Collocating the adjective "complicate". |
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| Quote: | | Whether that's the best word to use in that sentence is another question entirely. |
And often the answer is based on personal preference and need, isn't it?
| Quote: | | I would suggest that the particular version of English (i.e. Australian, American, British, Nigerian, Indian, etc.) has nothing whatsoever to do with whether 'complicate' is the best choice of words in sweetpumpkin's original question. |
And how did you reach that conclusion? What research into those variants have you done? |
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Molly
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| Tue Jun 03, 2008 0:57 am Collocating the adjective "complicate". |
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| Haihao wrote: | Alas! How lonely it is down here with this non-native duo!
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Molly isn't non-native, Haihao.
MrP |
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MrPedantic
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Location: Southern England
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| Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:18 am Collocating the adjective "complicate". |
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| MrPedantic wrote: | Molly isn't non-native, Haihao.
MrP |
Mr P, when you have the proof of such, post it here. Until then, save your cheap shots for your girl/boyfriends. |
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Molly
I'm a Communicator ;-)
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Haihao
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| Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:50 am Collocating the adjective "complicate". |
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| Molly wrote: | the proof of such
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Si documentum requiris, circumspice.
A "cheap shot" to call a non-native a native speaker?
I don't think so.
MrP |
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MrPedantic
I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 902
Location: Southern England
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| Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:53 am Collocating the adjective "complicate". |
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| MrPedantic wrote: | Si documentum requiris, circumspice.
MrP |
Are you on the edge of your wits, too? |
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Haihao
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 26 Oct 2006
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Location: Japan
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| Tue Jun 03, 2008 2:07 am Collocating the adjective "complicate". |
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| Haihao wrote: | | MrPedantic wrote: | Si documentum requiris, circumspice.
MrP |
Are you on the edge of your wits, too? |
Thank goodness you didn't say "wit". Mr P and wit do not go happily in hand. Also, Mr P and proof are not often bed partners.
He's been spouting that "Molly isn't non-native" all over the Internet for at least a year. He's never had the guts to post proof though. Lets' see if he comes up with it this time. |
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Molly
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 2879
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| Tue Jun 03, 2008 2:22 am Collocating the adjective "complicate". |
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| Molly wrote: | He's been spouting that "Molly isn't non-native" all over the Internet
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Is it such a terrible thing, to be taken for a native speaker?
MrP |
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MrPedantic
I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 902
Location: Southern England
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| Tue Jun 03, 2008 2:34 am Collocating the adjective "complicate". |
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I have to admit you are a good man, MrP. IMHO, the vulgar talk going on around here doesn't deserve your nobility. No kidding.  |
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Haihao
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Location: Japan
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| Tue Jun 03, 2008 6:18 am My two cents |
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| Yankee wrote: | .
Nobody can stop you from using 'complicate' in the original sentence (i.e. in the other 'complicate' thread) if you are determined to do so. Whether that's the best word to use in that sentence is another question entirely.
I would suggest that the particular version of English (i.e. Australian, American, British, Nigerian, Indian, etc.) has nothing whatsoever to do with whether 'complicate' is the best choice of words in sweetpumpkin's original question.
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Hi Amy,
I am very happy to see your comment here. With my sincerest respect for you, I'd like to give a few personal opinions concerning the matter if I may.
We do have restrictions with languages. We learn grammar etc in order to become a better master of it. However, that doesn't necessarily mean we should sit back into the niche of "best choice" to feel safe and comfortable. Language shouldn't become our ruler or master but we should. Language is no more than our tongue so do not ever make it our master. We should sometimes take the guts to go a step further to make an even better and richer English without killing any possibility conveniently. If Americans didn't have the guts to make a language of their own, you surely were never able to put the proudful line "native American English teacher" under every post you made.
Best regards,
Haihao |
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Haihao
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Joined: 26 Oct 2006
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Location: Japan
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| Tue Jun 03, 2008 7:10 am Collocating the adjective "complicate". |
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Hi Haihao
I agree with you entirely that you should feel free to experiment with language. However, it is my firm belief that some experiments will be more successful and effective than others. Some experiments will be fun. Others will be creative and interesting. Some will flop miserably. It seems to me that you and Molly are frantically attempting to label typos as valid examples of usage. It is my opinion that this particular experiment with the word 'complicate' will end up as a flop and amounts to 'much ado about nothing'.
I have also posted again in the other 'complicated' thread. Naturally, you are free to ignore or disagree with my opinion.
Have a good day.
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Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English |
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Yankee
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Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 7464
Location: Northeast US
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| Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:28 am Collocating the adjective "complicate". |
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| Quote: | | Is it such a terrible thing, to be taken for a native speaker? |
You seem to love being one, so... |
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Molly
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008
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| Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:41 am Collocating the adjective "complicate". |
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| Quote: | | the vulgar talk going on around here doesn't deserve your nobility. |
Would you say Mr P is not participating in posting "vulgar" language. |
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Molly
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 2879
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| blunder vs error | user guide vs. user's guide |
