Don't look, Hitcher, you'll be horrified!

[Headbanger]

Its not an argument, Its a fact, English is in a constant state of change, and its defined by however the people are using it, Not by a book of rules held by people who want to control it.

The shape and form of language has always and always will be in the hands of the users, A big book of rules that tries to stop time at some fictitious point and place in order to confine the language is deluded, pointless and a wasted effort.

If in 100 years TXT has taken over and everyone is fluent and comfortable and communication is taking place then so be it, That's the English language for you.Evolving. There is no up down,sideways,degradation, its moving in every way possible,everywhere around us all.

Communication is the objective, Language is the tool.

[pritch]

There is a street near where I live called Queens Road. Considering the lack of imagination of the shitwits that name places in this country there may well be a Queens Road or Queens Street near where you live too.

Great care would be needed with an apostrophe in this instance; Queen's Road is a whole lot different to Queens' Road

People might get the latter confused with other roads altogether.
Like f'rinstance Karangahape Road?

[Badjelly]

Its not an argument, Its a fact, English is in a constant state of change, and its defined by however the people are using it, Not by a book of rules held by people who want to control it...

Communication is the objective, Language is the tool.

You've certainly given that straw man a good thrashing!

So now we agree language inevitably changes and is defined by use, do you think apostrophe's should be used on street sign's?

[Headbanger]

So now we agree language inevitably changes and is defined by use, do you think apostrophe's should be used on street sign's?

If your comprehension was a little more advanced you would have the answer.

And just because I like to encourage thinking I'll give it to you in a question.

Do the signs communicate the required information effectively without the apostrophe's?


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[martybabe]

Oroight, Oi appen to bay frum Kings eaf and there ain't never been no apostrophe in it, innit. Moy point being, ow can yow make such a fuss about not puttin apostrophes in street names and soins, when they was never in 'em in the first place.

If the bloke dain't say nuffin about leavin 'em out,I don't fink nobody would ave noticed em missing, never seen an apostrophe in a street sign in Birmingham and I lived in the poo hole for 47 years.

I do agree that punctuation is a very useful tool but this is just another English excuse to argue the toss about trivial things whilst the streets crash and burn around them.

Apologies for my written interpretation of spoken Brummy, that's how they speak and write. Don't go there Hitcher, It's language assassination!

Tarra a bit.....Goodbye for now.

[Badjelly]

And just because I like to encourage thinking I'll give it to you in a question.

Do the signs communicate the required information effectively without the apostrophe's?

Gee, thanks for encouraging me to think, mate.

What "Barrys Point Rd" communicates to me is that this road was named after an individual called Barrys. That sounds a little odd, but there you are.

Language is defined by the people using it? I am one of them. I am used to following certain conventions regarding the use of trailing "s"s and apostrophes in various combinations to form plurals and possessives. I find it jarring when those conventions appear to be violated.

That said, it's never greatly bothered me that Morgans Rd doesn't have the apostrophe that I think it deserves. But Barrys Point Rd?

[Magua]

I think I know of a sign with an apostrophe on the North Shore. Nor'east road.
Wait, Nor'east Drive. http://www.wises.co.nz/l/Auckland/No...527East+Drive/

[Headbanger]

Gee, thanks for encouraging me to think, mate.

Happy to help.