If you write frequently to make a living, be very careful with your punctuation, it could put you into a lot of trouble. Notice the effect of the following Dear John Love Letter with different punctuation:
Dear John:
I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we’re apart. I can be forever happy—will you let me be yours?
Gloria
Dear John:
I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you, I have no feelings whatsoever. When we’re apart, I can be forever happy. Will you let me be?
Yours,
Gloria
Source: Bits & Pieces
Blogged with the Flock Browser
That would be hard for me to write and was funny to read. I remember when I was in Japan that the Japanese had problems with English and how to write it and use it. They tried and made some famous mistakes. “Please use and take our towel.”
Hello Abe:
As a Spanish-speaking person, I take great care when I write in English. It is such a difficult language, that you can hurt people if you don’t write carefully.
I’ve been studying English since I was six years old, and still feel I have a long road ahead. I dedicate a least an hour every day studying the language.
Thanks for your comments. I appreciate it very much when you visit my blog.
God Bless,
Omar.-
Hi Omar
Your post is very relevant to those who write for a living and even those who don’t. Poorly written communications have been the source of much grief and humor in our world. I read a statement that appeared in a church bulletin some time back:
“The ladies of the church have cast off clothes of every kind and they can be seen in the church basement on Friday afternoons.”
Hi Michael:
Yep, your have to be careful how you express yourself. Your example is very true. I’m sure many ladies raised their eyebrows when they read the church bulletin.
Have a great Sunday,
Omar.-
Hi, Omar!
Just dropping by to say, “Hello!”
This was a funny post, yet it is so true, isn’t it?
It made me think of the different cultures and how the same words can have entirely different meanings depending on where they are spoken (written).
For instance….
“That bum in the alley had a really great bum for someone that lives in the streets and that really bums me out since I pay good money to try to get a bum like that.”
I know…not very creative but I know you get my point.
Have a wonderful day, Omar.
Thanks for all the smiles!
SOC
Hello southernoffice chairs:
It’s nice to see you back at Lingua Franca. Your point is well taken using the “bum” pun. If you’re not well acquainted with the English language, this phrase would be totally meaningless.
Idioms or idiomatic phrases is another headache for those of us who are struggling to learn the English language.
Thank you for dropping by, I do appreciate your comments. This is first comment of the day, and that makes me feel great.
Enjoy the rest of the day,
Omar.-