quote:Or are you one of those UK people hung up on protocol?
Dictionary definition of:
Protocol
1. Etiquette of formal occasions: the rules or conventions of correct behavior on official or ceremonial occasions
2. Code of conduct: the rules of correct or appropriate behavior of a group, organization, or profession
3. International relations international agreement: a formal agreement between states or nations
4. Record or draft of agreement: a written record or preliminary draft of a treaty or other agreement
5. Computer rules for networking computers: a set of technical rules for the transmission and receipt of information between computers
The others are in common usage now, particular number 5.
What you probably really meant was either:
Semantics
1. Study of meaning in language: the study of how meaning in language is created by the use and interrelationships of words, phrases, and sentences
or possibly:
Grammar
1. Rules for language: the system of rules by which words are formed and put together to make sentences
2. Particular set of language rules: the rules for speaking or writing a particular language, or an analysis of the rules of a particular aspect of language
Source of definitions
As you may now have gathered, we "UK people" are very, very "hung up" (as in hang the washing up?) about the abuse of our poor mother tongue!
Oh yes, Chatter is one in a million - a US citizen who believes in English Grammar.
Paul
(Not quite the tongue in cheek smiley I wanted)Rick will give you a swift introduction to British humour if you ask him nicely!