NEWS
By DAVE BARRY | June 27, 1999
IT IS TIME ONCE AGAIN for Ask Mister Language Person, the advice column written by the world's No. 1 foremost leading authority on grammar, syntax, podiatry and using big words to physically harm your opponent. In just a few moments, we'll answer some language questions sent in by concerned readers that we made up. But first we have the following important "Y2K" advisory:Many experts are concerned about how the Y2K problem will affect grammar. A federal task force has studied this question and recently released a report concluding that beginning Jan. 1, 2000, there could be "widespread, sporadic shortages of words."
NEWS
By Dave Barry | December 5, 1999
IT IS WITH GREAT verisimilitude that we present another installation of "Ask Mister Language Person," the column that answers your common questions about grammar, punctuation and unwanted body hair. This is the only language column to receive the coveted Lifetime Bathroom Pass from the American Society of University Professors Who Are Never in Their Offices.We will commence the onset of today's column by beginning with our first question, which concerns a basic rule of business grammar:Q.
NEWS
By The Literary Almanac | March 1, 1998
Thomas Hardy (1840-1928), was born in Dorset, England, to common rural folk. His mother taught him to read at three and by the time he finished grammar school, he knew the classics, French, and German. In 1856, he was apprenticed to a Dorchester and then a London architect, but despite winning awards, he was determined to be a writer. Hardy published his first novel at 31. His simple origins proved indispensable to his writing. His empathetic depiction of country people in The Return of the Native (1878)
NEWS
By KNIGHT RIDDER/TRIBUNE | November 26, 1998
Grammar ain't what it used to be.Time was, teachers whacked us on the knuckles when our subjects and verbs didn't match up. College professors shamed us for not never showing up for class.At least we knew right from wrong back then.Now, anything goes. They tell us it's OK to knowingly split infinitives. They say a preposition is a fine thing to end a sentence with. And they say we can start a sentence with "and."And even "but."But only if we don't overdo it.Linguists, lexicographers and grammarians disagree on what is proper grammar these days.
NEWS
By Mary Maushard | February 5, 1997
Jonathan R. Freeman didn't mind teaching grammar, but he hated the textbooks. And he was fairly sure his students hated them, too -- if not the whole subject.So, "in a six-week blitzkrieg" two summers ago, the Bryn Mawr School teacher created his own text tailored to his students and to his approach to teaching, which is considerably more lighthearted than that of most grammarians.Out of the sweat of that summer came "GRAMMARRRRGGHH!!!!! a guidebook for students lost in the land of language."
FEATURES
April 25, 1996
A huge diamond engagement ring given to Jacqueline Kennedy by Aristotle Onassis was just one of the items up for bid at yesterday's auction of the former first lady's belongings.Buyers paid $42,500 for Jackie's French grammar book and $32,200 for a sofa.For additional auction highlights, see the full story on Page 5e.Pub Date: 4/25/96
FEATURES
April 28, 1996
Kudos to KellyEditor: Thank you, thank you for the articles from Jacques Kelly. We have thoroughly enjoyed going back with him and remembering things gone by.I have since purchased his book and have given copies to friends who, too, have enjoyed the articles.Mrs. Thomas A. KnottEllicott City----------Editor: "Jacques Kelly's Baltimore" is almost worth the price of your paper. Keep him. (No, I never met him and I'm not his cousin!)Tom O'RourkeCockeysvilleLetters to the editor should include name, address and daytime phone number.
NEWS
By Elizabeth Schuett | February 1, 1996
GIBSONBURG, Ohio -- They (my eighth-graders) say, ''It don't make no difference how we talk.'' I say, ''Oh yes it do.'' They say, ''You just used bad grammar!'' I say, ''How's come ya' notice it when I use it but you don't never hear it when you do it?''They say, ''Whatta' we need to talk so perfect for, anyway?'' I say, ''Because you will be forever judged by the way you speak and if you use poor grammar you will be branded ignorant.''They say, ''So what? Everybody at my house talks the same way I do. Are you calling my family ignorant?
NEWS
By Richard Roeper | September 11, 1995
TODAY WE could explore any number of strange angles on the O. J. Simpson saga.We could talk about the Fuhrman mess.This "retired cop" is politically just to the right of Hitler, and intellectually six steps behind Forrest Gump.Or we could compare the budgets of the O. J. trial and "Waterworld."As of this writing, the movie "Waterworld" is still slightly more expensive.But what I'd really like to do is talk about O. J. Simpson's spelling.Think back to the year 1 of O. J. -- that is, the summer of 1994.
NEWS
By Anne Haddad | October 15, 1995
In his Spanish class, eighth-grader Greg Putman is learning more about his native language, too."They thought 'conjugate' was a Spanish word," said Spanish teacher Sharon Schuster. "They weren't aware they'd been conjugating verbs all their lives. They don't pick apart their native language like they do a foreign one."Greg, whom The Sun has followed every year since kindergarten as a representative of Carroll County's class of 2000, is taking three high-school level courses this year at Westminster West Middle School.