milky  +  396429 Wed, 25 Jul 07 11:49 AM I keep hearing "adult native English speakers do not commit errors in usage". Do you agree with that "quote"? milky Joined on Thu, Jan 15 2004 Senior Member 3,149 Hume said that if we had perfect or complete descriptive knowledge of reality, we could not, by reasoning, derive a single valid "ought".

	Feebs11  +  396471 Wed, 25 Jul 07 02:12 PM Only if "educated" is added in front, and even then errors can happen. Feebs11 Joined on Thu, Nov 23 2006 UK Veteran Member 5,015

	milky  +  396486 Wed, 25 Jul 07 02:55 PM  Feebs11 wrote: Only if "educated" is added in front, and even then errors can happen. Your sentence seems contradictory. milky

	milky  +  396488 Wed, 25 Jul 07 02:57 PM  Anonymous wrote: Let me quote from President Bush's speech: "Rarely is the question asked, 'Is our children learning'?"  ___ Florence, S.C. Jan. 11, 2000 "The illiteracy level of our children are appalling."            ___ Washington, D.C., Jan. 23, 2004 Would those forms be correct in GW's hometown/region/dialect? milky Dialects

	Feebs11  +  396536 Wed, 25 Jul 07 04:40 PM  Milky wrote:  Feebs11 wrote: Only if "educated" is added in front, and even then errors can happen. Your sentence seems contradictory. Of course it is contradictory.  Generally those people who are better educated will be more accurate in the way they use the language. But even the best-educated person can make a mistake. No-one can guarantee 100% accuracy in speaking because of the way in which body and brain interact. As for the George Bush quotes - he is just one of the unfortunate people who cannot use words properly and is always making sematic mistakes. They are unique to him and nothing to do with where he comes from or was educated. Feebs11

	milky  +  396557 Wed, 25 Jul 07 05:29 PM  Feebs11 wrote:  Milky wrote:  Feebs11 wrote: Only if "educated" is added in front, and even then errors can happen. Your sentence seems contradictory. Of course it is contradictory.  Generally those people who are better educated will be more accurate in the way they use the language. But even the best-educated person can make a mistake. No-one can guarantee 100% accuracy in speaking because of the way in which body and brain interact. As for the George Bush quotes - he is just one of the unfortunate people who cannot use words properly and is always making sematic mistakes. They are unique to him and nothing to do with where he comes from or was educated. Many thanks for your reply. I agree with you on the impossibility of 100% accuracy thing. I've never understood people who claim that native speakers do not commit errors. milky

	Feathers  +  396822 Thu, 26 Jul 07 03:46 AM  Feebs11 wrote: No-one can guarantee 100% accuracy in speaking because of the way in which body and brain interact. Dear Feebs11, I've just got curious about what you said.  Would you mind elaborating on your comment a little bit?  Please .. ;-) Feathers Joined on Thu, Jul 6 2006 Full Member 250

	nona the brit  +  396945 Thu, 26 Jul 07 12:30 PM It's also the case that we speak differently to the way that we write. I know I make 'errors' in my speech, or at least use the local non-standard bits of English, but in serious writing I use standard English and of course have the opportunity to check for mistakes. You can't 'proof-listen' or correct your speech until too late. Sometimes I think 'Ugh! Did I really just say that?' nona the brit Joined on Wed, Sep 22 2004 England Veteran Member 11,713 The name says it all.