17-Oct-2003, 07:46 PM
RMJ, Versteht! Or rather, viellecht, ein bischen! What does "personal tragedy does not have to mean private as well" mean? 'Personal' to me is private, not something to be shared with others. Not a rule, just adherence to meaning of commonly accorded words on one hand and on the other choice. What would be the point of advertizing recent attendance at the funeral of my mother-in-law after a rather long and difficult decline? Such an event I deem personal, unless it can lend itself to illustrate an aspect of morality, hope or other positive value, which as far as I see it does not. Indeed, I would think the fact of absolutely no interest to anyone else!
Finally, use of 'z' or 's' in the offending word depends on choice. I believe use of 'z' to represent the sound of the word is an Oxford conceit that spread to this side of the ocean and virtually excludes 's' from words that have the 'ize'sound as opposed to an 'ice' (ise) one. May I add that I have found those who attack spelling or grammar - unless these absolutely and outrageously contravene rules and demonstrate a certain ignorance - to be those with little substance in their postings. You may be an exception, John, but there it is.
Sandieh, my response to your initial post was flippant and based not so much on the accident itself - since accidents are always tragic - but your 'wonder' at such events. No, I did not take your remark out of context... however, others do seems to have taken mine out of context!
Finally, use of 'z' or 's' in the offending word depends on choice. I believe use of 'z' to represent the sound of the word is an Oxford conceit that spread to this side of the ocean and virtually excludes 's' from words that have the 'ize'sound as opposed to an 'ice' (ise) one. May I add that I have found those who attack spelling or grammar - unless these absolutely and outrageously contravene rules and demonstrate a certain ignorance - to be those with little substance in their postings. You may be an exception, John, but there it is.
Sandieh, my response to your initial post was flippant and based not so much on the accident itself - since accidents are always tragic - but your 'wonder' at such events. No, I did not take your remark out of context... however, others do seems to have taken mine out of context!
BillR