politeness

There's a pretty significant generational split on may I/can I usage in Canada.

I don't think you'd find too many people under the age of 50 who are even aware of may I as an option.

Obviously, I only thought I understood English.

you forgot the

As there is in all dialects of English, Beth.



That's not possible. Many of this group were exposed to the same nonsense.

But regardless, children by age five would be aware of every modal use.

As regards this particular prescription, if they passed it on to you then it's rather obvious, McTag.

Are you referring to 'ignorant' in its meaning of not being aware of something or have you taken this as the pejorative meaning of 'ignorant'?

You've got a great sense of humor sometimes, Beth.

Another remark illustrating ignorance on the English language.

Wouldn't that be "of the English language"

Wouldn't that be you studiously avoiding the issues, as you always do, Roger, in a really lame attempt to snipe from your front row seat in the peanut gallery?

As far as your remark on the other thread is concerned, referring to this, your attempt at patronising smarm is as ill-judged as it is unwelcome.

I'm sorry you took it that way, McTag, because I have too much respect for you to do that. I'm frank in my dealings with you and I suspect you are the same with me.

It is not a question of "the way I took it".
I was writing in general terms about my personal history and interest in the language and you decided to insult my parents.
Your apology does not cover that.

I stated that as a conditional, McTag. And you leaped to the conclusion that I insulted them. If your parents advanced that particular prescription by telling you that 'can' only held the meaning of 'ability' then they were ignorant on that specific issue.

Many people, most people are ignorant when it comes to understanding how their language works. I'm ignorant of much of the workings of language . Daily, even hourly, I'm often puzzled by things I hear. When others hear context, I hear and see grammatical structure in that context and wonder about the choices. Language is exceedingly complex.

So was that really an insult? Obviously, I would have no way of knowing whether they did this or not. If they simply sought to encourage you to use what they perceived as a more polite usage, without including the falsehood, that would hardly be ignorant.



I don't feel I owe one for that to either you or your parents.

And for my remark in the other thread, it was a joke, nevertheless, I apologize for my remark.