English Language in the Bangkok Post and Other Publications

[danreiter2]

I am an avid reader of the Bangkok Post's online edition. I plan to retire in Thailand in two years. My wife is Thai and we have a four-year old daughter. They live just outside of Buriram where we have a house, 20 acres of rice land, a new Isuzu pick-up, etc. I am now working as an English language teacher and team leader (mainly responsible for test development) in Saudi Arabia.

The reason I started the post about the quality of the English written in the online edition of the Bangkok Post was that I wanted to make it better. My critique was meant to be constructive and, certainly not meant to criticize just for the sake of criticism. The overwhelming amount of writing in the BP is quite good; however, there is much that needs improvement. It is undeniable that each day there are English language errors of many kinds.

I suggested a "simple" solution: A native speaker of English could easily "vet" the copy before it goes out. This could, of course, be done electronically from anywhere in the world. And it would not take much time.

I posed the question as to why this was not being done, and I raised the possibility that perhaps it was a matter of "false pride." Most of the replies to my posting did not really address the question I posed in a serious manner(except, perhaps, for those of BarnacleBill), and I think I was at fault for saying that in a very undiplomatic manner. If I ruffled any feathers and was unkind in any way, I am sorry and I apologize.

However, I would still like to raise the same question I raised in my original posting to start off this thread because I think it is an important one. I am reminded every day when I log on to the BP of the English errors spread throughout the otherwise quite masterful and interesting articles.

[stilljustbrowsing]

I believe in a "KISS" Keep It Simple, Stupid!
The message, understood, is far better than a message that is grammatically correct that no-one understands!

[Sean Moran]

I posed the question as to why this was not being done, and I raised the possibility that perhaps it was a matter of "false pride." Most of the replies to my posting did not really address the question I posed in a serious manner(except, perhaps, for those of BarnacleBill), and I think I was at fault for saying that in a very undiplomatic manner. If I ruffled any feathers and was unkind in any way, I am sorry and I apologize.

What you wrote is quoted below:

However, as with a lot of issues in Thailand concerning things foreign, it probably is a question of false pride.

Question 1: Please provide some examples of these lot of issues in Thailand concerning things foreign in the context of false-pride.
(This might help the reader to understand what you actually meant by that statement. The term that seems to have been quite popular this week is neo-colonialist. Sounds more academic than racist doesn't it? )

Question 2: What will it take for you to understand the repeatedly provided simple answer as to why your "false-pride" in native-speakers is no solution because incompetent native-speakers are proliferant across the globe?
(Instructions for answers to Question 2:
If you able to understand this fact, then please respond with an answer such as, "Yes I understand this fact."
If you do not understand this fact then please respond with an answer such as, "No I do not understand this fact."
ONE OR THE OTHER.)

Question 3a: Why do you lose your understanding of this simple and straight answer just when it seemed that you finally got the message? You had it worked out, so it seemed on the last page. Now you seem to have forgotten.

Question 3b: Why do you not understand the answers provided but only try to insult the respondents?

Question 3c:Do you believe that your ignorance of the truth will make things right if you wait a bit and hope that it goes away?

(Helpful Hint for Question 3:
I HAVE REPLIED DIRECTLY TO YOUR QUESTION TIME AFTER TIME, BUT IT SEEMS YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE ANSWER UNLESS IT IS IN AGREEMENT WITH YOUR MISGUIDED UNDERSTANDING. )

Question 4: Can you clarify your definition of native-speaker? You seem to have overlooked many possibilities from the outset, such as Singapore and Manila. Please give examples of a range of native English speaking countries as you understand the definition.

It seems that your competence with English writing has improved slightly this time, but your reading comprehension is still just as problematic as before by these indications. I assume that your memory is adequate for a thread of this short length, which leaves only your reading as the cause of your lack of understanding.. Please learn to read English or else find someone you trust to read them to you aloud in simple words. I must say I respect your tenacity.
.

[stilljustbrowsing]

If I ruffled any feathers and was unkind in any way, I am sorry and I apologize.

.

Are you suggesting the posters here are "bird brained?"
I don't like your tone of voice, it smells a funny colour!

[Sean Moran]

Thank you.

I will look into this in the morning and try to improve my behaviour.

[Sean Moran]

I'd say they might prefer you to write by pen and paper, Mz Sweet.

[stilljustbrowsing]

Maneerut, if you cannot log-in under your current entry name or password, and you are sure that all spellings are the same as required before, re-register under another pseudonym and password, it seems to work for others!

[Sean Moran]

Why don't you sing me a nice lullaby then, honey-bunny?

[GORDON]

GO GIRL

[ohm]

English Language in the Bangkok Post and Other Publications

Postby danreiter2 on Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:39 p01 [82.167.47.xx]
The Bangkok Post claims to be "The World's Window to Thailand." As such, one would assume that the Post's website would want to put its best face forward and limit any major errors in the English language. However, time and again one finds major errors in articles in the new (and old) online edition.

The solution is, of course, very simple: Hire a native speaker to vet all articles before they go online. I've had some communication with the webmaster concerning this topic and have cited several instances of major incorrect English usage. However, the situation has not changed.

For me at least, it is distracting when oftentimes otherwise great articles are marred by poor English. If it's question of money, then I would volunteer to do the job myself. However, as with a lot of issues in Thailand concerning things foreign, it probably is a question of false pride.

What do you think? Am I being too picky in this regard? Is it a question of false pride or somethings else?

Would you be kind enough to add the 'major errors' when you see them to this thread, danreiter2? This could good learning experience for me whose Eglish is no good!