Comments on: OSX needs to read the Oxford English Dictionary http://www.splee.co.uk/2006/06/23/osx-needs-to-read-the-oxford-english-dictionary/ Bring out the g33k Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:57:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Andrew Sheers http://www.splee.co.uk/2006/06/23/osx-needs-to-read-the-oxford-english-dictionary/#comment-33993 Andrew Sheers Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:53:47 +0000 http://www.splee.co.uk/2006/06/23/osx-needs-to-read-the-oxford-english-dictionary/#comment-33993 Mr. Ager, The reason your language is becoming ever more "stars and stripey" is probably due to Australian regional government departments, like the [Government of Western Australia] (http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/curriculum/learningareas/learn3.htm) promoting the use of American English dictionaries in the classroom, not British ones (on the linked page, note the presence of the respected US English dictionary Mirriam-Webster dictionary, not Oxford University Press). Maybe other regional governments are doing it as well. Being from the United Kingdom, I can only sympathise with your current distress :-) Somebody ought to say something... Mr. Ager,

The reason your language is becoming ever more “stars and stripey” is probably due to Australian regional government departments, like the [Government of Western Australia] (http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/curriculum/learningareas/learn3.htm) promoting the use of American English dictionaries in the classroom, not British ones (on the linked page, note the presence of the respected US English dictionary Mirriam-Webster dictionary, not Oxford University Press). Maybe other regional governments are doing it as well. Being from the United Kingdom, I can only sympathise with your current distress :-) Somebody ought to say something…

]]> By: William Ager http://www.splee.co.uk/2006/06/23/osx-needs-to-read-the-oxford-english-dictionary/#comment-33905 William Ager Sun, 16 Dec 2007 12:34:36 +0000 http://www.splee.co.uk/2006/06/23/osx-needs-to-read-the-oxford-english-dictionary/#comment-33905 Even if such a wonderful option were to become available, David, I fear that you might find it disappointing. According to the proper OED, the correct spelling of the word in question is in fact 'digitize', and if you were to search through Fowler, you would find much the same guideline. You may wish to examine the entry for '-ize', or read [this website](http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/faq/aboutspelling/ize?view=uk). While the government and media might have made unfortunate choices in the matter, I am rather saddened that others have followed followed them rather than respectable institutions. It is with some amusement, however, that I have read through these comments containing so much lambasting as improper and Americanistic what the very bastions of propriety in the English language justifiably deem correct. Of course, this puts one who seeks to write properly in an unfortunate situation for spell-checking: one may choose the American dictionary, and be told that 'analyse' is incorrect, or may choose the British dictionary, and be told that 'antagonize' is incorrect. I fear I shall find no respite from the red line, unless I disable checking altogether and rely entirely on careful typing. Even if such a wonderful option were to become available, David, I fear that you might find it disappointing. According to the proper OED, the correct spelling of the word in question is in fact ‘digitize’, and if you were to search through Fowler, you would find much the same guideline. You may wish to examine the entry for ‘-ize’, or read this website. While the government and media might have made unfortunate choices in the matter, I am rather saddened that others have followed followed them rather than respectable institutions. It is with some amusement, however, that I have read through these comments containing so much lambasting as improper and Americanistic what the very bastions of propriety in the English language justifiably deem correct.

Of course, this puts one who seeks to write properly in an unfortunate situation for spell-checking: one may choose the American dictionary, and be told that ‘analyse’ is incorrect, or may choose the British dictionary, and be told that ‘antagonize’ is incorrect. I fear I shall find no respite from the red line, unless I disable checking altogether and rely entirely on careful typing.

]]> By: Warren http://www.splee.co.uk/2006/06/23/osx-needs-to-read-the-oxford-english-dictionary/#comment-33887 Warren Sat, 01 Dec 2007 12:34:21 +0000 http://www.splee.co.uk/2006/06/23/osx-needs-to-read-the-oxford-english-dictionary/#comment-33887 Thanks for the tips! this was starting to drive me mad. It's a real shame that the dictionary can't be updated, but at least I can write in peace from the red-line! Thanks for the tips! this was starting to drive me mad. It’s a real shame that the dictionary can’t be updated, but at least I can write in peace from the red-line!

]]> By: David http://www.splee.co.uk/2006/06/23/osx-needs-to-read-the-oxford-english-dictionary/#comment-33886 David Sat, 01 Dec 2007 09:51:38 +0000 http://www.splee.co.uk/2006/06/23/osx-needs-to-read-the-oxford-english-dictionary/#comment-33886 This is all well and good. But what REALLY annoys me is the Dictionary App that comes with Leopard. It seems that this App uses the New Oxford American Dictionary, and no option to choose the (proper) Oxford English Dictionary. I can search 'digitise', and Dictionary will find the correct word. However, I am told that it is spelt 'digitize'. : / This is all well and good.

But what REALLY annoys me is the Dictionary App that comes with Leopard.

It seems that this App uses the New Oxford American Dictionary, and no option to choose the (proper) Oxford English Dictionary.

I can search ‘digitise’, and Dictionary will find the correct word. However, I am told that it is spelt ‘digitize’.

: /

]]> By: HappyGoogle http://www.splee.co.uk/2006/06/23/osx-needs-to-read-the-oxford-english-dictionary/#comment-33804 HappyGoogle Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:24:18 +0000 http://www.splee.co.uk/2006/06/23/osx-needs-to-read-the-oxford-english-dictionary/#comment-33804 Codeman - you are a god sir. A mactastically super-powered god. I thank you and offer a figurative beer. Codeman - you are a god sir. A mactastically super-powered god. I thank you and offer a figurative beer.

]]> By: Splee http://www.splee.co.uk/2006/06/23/osx-needs-to-read-the-oxford-english-dictionary/#comment-33774 Splee Sat, 29 Sep 2007 12:26:22 +0000 http://www.splee.co.uk/2006/06/23/osx-needs-to-read-the-oxford-english-dictionary/#comment-33774 @Peter: the fact that it was wrong doesn't mean that it's inexcusable. I never professed to be a perfect user of the language, merely that I didn't want OS X to spell things in American :) Thanks to both you and Chris for pointing out the error though, the post has been updated. @Peter: the fact that it was wrong doesn’t mean that it’s inexcusable. I never professed to be a perfect user of the language, merely that I didn’t want OS X to spell things in American :)

Thanks to both you and Chris for pointing out the error though, the post has been updated.

]]> By: Peter http://www.splee.co.uk/2006/06/23/osx-needs-to-read-the-oxford-english-dictionary/#comment-33766 Peter Mon, 24 Sep 2007 07:42:44 +0000 http://www.splee.co.uk/2006/06/23/osx-needs-to-read-the-oxford-english-dictionary/#comment-33766 You may not want to use American English, my friend, but PLEASE use English English correctly! To spell the possessive form of its as it's is inexcusable! Viz "...I’ve started teaching that little dotted red line the error of it’s ways..." You may not want to use American English, my friend, but PLEASE use English English correctly!

To spell the possessive form of its as it’s is inexcusable!

Viz “…I’ve started teaching that little dotted red line the error of it’s ways…”

]]> By: Jasper http://www.splee.co.uk/2006/06/23/osx-needs-to-read-the-oxford-english-dictionary/#comment-33754 Jasper Thu, 13 Sep 2007 23:32:07 +0000 http://www.splee.co.uk/2006/06/23/osx-needs-to-read-the-oxford-english-dictionary/#comment-33754 thanks so much for these tips guys - sick of my macbook pro telling me that I'm spelling 'behaviour' incorrectly! thanks so much for these tips guys - sick of my macbook pro telling me that I’m spelling ‘behaviour’ incorrectly!

]]> By: Gideon http://www.splee.co.uk/2006/06/23/osx-needs-to-read-the-oxford-english-dictionary/#comment-33738 Gideon Tue, 04 Sep 2007 17:24:22 +0000 http://www.splee.co.uk/2006/06/23/osx-needs-to-read-the-oxford-english-dictionary/#comment-33738 Damn right! What Americans think is "English" is just some stupid bastardisation of the language, and it's a damn good language at that. I'm fed up of Pages telling me to use a "z" or to drop the "u" from several words, I vote we tell Apple (and Microsoft) that there is NO SUCH THING as US English and force them to write properly. Damn right!
What Americans think is “English” is just some stupid bastardisation of the language, and it’s a damn good language at that.
I’m fed up of Pages telling me to use a “z” or to drop the “u” from several words, I vote we tell Apple (and Microsoft) that there is NO SUCH THING as US English and force them to write properly.

]]> By: Chris http://www.splee.co.uk/2006/06/23/osx-needs-to-read-the-oxford-english-dictionary/#comment-33700 Chris Mon, 23 Jul 2007 19:44:08 +0000 http://www.splee.co.uk/2006/06/23/osx-needs-to-read-the-oxford-english-dictionary/#comment-33700 I agree but when you refer to "the error of it’s ways" (sic) in your third paragraph, the word you needed was "its" rather then "it's". I agree but when you refer to “the error of it’s ways” (sic) in your third paragraph, the word you needed was “its” rather then “it’s”.

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