Is alright all right?

[ash48]

When I Google the word "alright" I find that it's not considered acceptable English. The word doesn't sit too well with me when I read it and yet it seems to be acceptable and used a lot. Perhaps if it's used in the context of "it's ok" rather than "everything is right", then it's acceptable?? Is it something a beta should pick up when proof reading?

*head scratch*

And (whilst I'm on word usage)... why do I cringe when I see the word "cum" as opposed to "come"? "Cum" just doesn't look right. Is it? Does it matter? Hmmm... probably not. If the porn is hot enough a word shouldn't matter. But I tend to turn away more often when I see that word used for some reason.

(Yay, seeing Sherlock Holmes today. Hope it's good!)

Comments

[el1ie.livejournal.com]

I find "alright" awkward in reading and it is correct to use "all right" but I'm probably guilty of actually typing it in here often! Same goes for "cum" it's - it's such a nasty little word, which I suppose does have a place in dirty porn, but it's one of those words that I have an aversion to, mostly because it's an ugly word, that has no easy pronunciation in my head.

But in saying that I'm an old fuddy duddy who likes well written English, who still favours the distinctions between the written and spoken language, who still goes totally up the wall when no one seems to differentiate between "bring" and "take" any longer and doesn't care, it makes me want to cry, or sling a dictionary at people. I know language is a living thing, that it evolves, but come on! What's next, no difference between "came" and "went"? Oh, wait, I'm seeing that often too now and if I have to see one more "he was stood/sat in the corner" I think I'll throw something at the computer! And don't even mention the "lay" "lie" thing or I'll be forced to dig up my Dean graphic. What people "say" or however they may speak, is never an acceptable excuse for not writing the narrative correctly, keep your colloquialisms for dialogue.

Um, I'm not reading a lot at the moment, eep, sorry, rant over. Hehe...

Hope you enjoy the film.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking that we are (maybe) seeing the transition from all right to alright. Not always, but certainly when a character thinks something is "ok" I see it. Hmmmm, I'm just not sure whether I should mention it to the writer or not. I'm getting a real mixed bag in the response to this one.

And I'm with you on "cum".

Ha! And I'm glad I'm I don't write. My word usage is pretty bad. I mean, there's plenty that really annoy me (misuse of your and you're for example), but there are times I know I use words incorrectly. I'm a work in progress on that though. I think I'm getting better the more exposure I have.

*hugs* ya.
xx

[el1ie.livejournal.com]

I think you're right, it is becoming more acceptable to use "alright" in certain cases, here's where your diplomacy part of being a beta will get tested! Question it with her, point out that while it isn't correct it is one of those words that is used in certain places and let her decide what she wants to do about it.

English is a minefield, especially in fan fic where you're dealing with many forms of the spoken language inside each country never mind continents and then you have to balance that to a specific show that requires it's own identity reflected in the language.

Exposure - yes, see that's the one that worries me the most, while I do understand that fan fic is for fun and relaxation etc., there comes that tipping point where if badly written stories are all some people are reading? Then so much of the instinct of just "knowing" something is wrong as soon as you write it down is then being lost. That instinct from years of exposure to good grammar, reading well written books can never be underestimated in being heard, being understood clearly and it makes me sad to think we are losing our individual voices is the watering down of such a rich and complex language.

Don't worry too much about it, you have a real gift of communicating about problems that comes from your heart, you'll do just fine. ♥