Anonymous
For example, a few weeks ago, I wrote the word "fora", as the plural for "forum", and a couple of native-speaking members here took me to task over it, and a couple more even made fun of me for using it. They said I should use "forums". Well, I'm still using "fora", so I guess I'm not so interested in gaining the respect, linguistically and socially, of said members. But, did I make the right choice? Should I have taken on the usage of said members? Should I have tried to to gain their respect?
I think you are unnecessarily troubled by the episode, Anon. It is very unlikely that "respect" is to be gained by a simple change in plural terminations. Regular charitable work, a knowledge of neo-classical endogenous growth theory, or fresh sneakers with shell toes are a more reliable route to high social status.
MrP