Stevertigo writes:
I think this is nonsense. Proper English is a product of specialization. English is not the property of English speakers, but a lingua franca that everyone owns.
Pseudo-academic, pseudo-egalitarian nonsense. That's the same kind of talk that has damaged the education of much of the inner-city youth in America. Only in the last decade have educators finally had the nerve to attack this point of view, and to correct the course that our schools were making.
Frankly, it is also racist in effect. This kind of attitude has created two generations of poorly educated Hispanic and Black youth in American cities. I couldn't think of a better plan for the KKK to promote if they want to keep racism alive forever.
Hence, its destined to become simplified phonetic - scratch that - fonetic speling iz tha furst thing laikli tu hapen tu English - or it should. Someday soon.
This isn't about ownership, racism or colonialism. It is about writing article in English, for people who speak English.
And frankly, many of our articles are being damaged by people with good intentions, but who have poor English reading or writing skills (or both.)
In Stevertigo's bizarre universe, it is egalitarian to encourage this illiteracy, which in the end would produce unreadable articles. In our universe, we are trying to ecudate an English speaking audience.
It is your choice what kind of encyclopedia we should try to produce. I know which path I prefer.
Robert (RK)
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