This guy’s being pedantic. I say “a software” all the time.
It’s important to understand how a language works, but don’t let grammar Nazis trick you into caring about minor rules even English speakers ignore.
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Shimitar@downonthestreet.eu 4 days ago I am not native English speaker, thanks for the correction.
soyslurper2@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 days ago
JustARaccoon@lemmy.world 3 days ago
It won’t kill a man but it’s still incorrect syntax and a faux pas, it’s fine if you’re fine with that, but that doesn’t make it standard.
Also it’s not really new information that international speakers speak English better than natives, just look at all the “their” “they’re” confusion that happens when someone learned English as a native but not when they go through the whole shebang of learning about possessives and articles, so just because a native English speaker ignores a rule in their own language that doesn’t really speak much about the language, it says more about the speaker.
soyslurper2@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 days ago
just because a native English speaker ignores a rule in their own language that doesn’t really speak much about the language, it says more about the speaker
It doesn’t. If the speakers of a language ignore a “rule”, that says more about the rule itself. Eventually, a rule like the one we’re discussing will cease to exist since it only complicates communication, as has happened to past rules and words.
I also have an issue with calling it “standard”. “Standard” is whatever everyone uses. Following rules that no one else does makes you sound robotic. It’s why so many guides on pronounciation in English fail. They go off of how the word is spelt and ignore how people actually say it.
JustARaccoon@lemmy.world 3 days ago
nah bro, I get descriptivism is important and not locking yourself down too hard lets language evolve, but prescriptivism is how we make sure we are still able to communicate with each other clearly without confusion.
- Shimitar@downonthestreet.eu 4 days ago
Well, rules are important and knowing them is too. Ignoring them can then be a choice, otherwise it’s just ignorance…
But yes I fully understand your point.
JustARaccoon@lemmy.world 3 days ago
you can get around it by using something like “a piece of software”