I didn't quite know where to put this, so I'll stick it here. I was just wondering if we are supposed to say forums or fora, as I never quite know which to use (I'm referring to the plural of the word forum of course)...
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I didn't quite know where to put this, so I'll stick it here. I was just wondering if we are supposed to say forums or fora, as I never quite know which to use (I'm referring to the plural of the word forum of course)...
They're both correct. "Fora" is the Latin original, so to speak. Where as in English, saying "forums" is just as acceptable, it's the modern plural form of the word in English.
But which would you use? Personally, I think that "forums" is a slap in the face to the Latin language, but I don't know if newbies will know what the hell I'm talking about if I say "Welcome to the fora!"...
Heh, well, technically, this is one forum. >.>
But, aye, I'd use "forums" just like I use "mages" instead of "magi".
Forums is only a slap to the face of the latin language when the context is latin. If the entire sentence is latin. (example: eo fora (I go to the forums) ---> Eo Forums... yuck) And why? Because 'forums' isn't latin... :wink:
BUT!!!! 'Forums' IS an ENGLISH word :tongue:
Because the fact is that, while 'Forum' WAS just a latin word, it now also is an english word... It is part of the english language, and therefore, also has to abide to the rules of the english grammar, which, in turn, allows the plural form of 'forums'.
Just to illustrate your point in a different way: If 'forums' was a slap to the face of the latin language, then the plural form of the word 'dam', should in fact be 'dammen' :wink:, or else it'd be a slap to the face of the dutch language
Etc. etc. ... I hope you get my point... there are alot of loan words in the english language... but we don't really think of them to be loan words. We think of them to be english words, as they have become such a part of the english language.
Therefore, I think that the correct english plural forms of latin derivatives are:
the official latin end as the ending of the word (Fora, Aquaria, Camerae, Mementote (!), etc.)
'-s' at the end of the nominativus singular of the latin word (Forums, Aquariums, Cameras, Mementoes/Mementos, etc.)
Forums, plain and simple.
In danish, the correct form is fora. The word forummer (what the danish plural form would look like) is incorrect. I actually thought it was the same in english, but apparently it's not.
It's like virus. Plural, that is vira, very bent.
In English the plural of virus is virii. Or is it?
Foreem.
(Umlaut plural.)
How is it a slap to the face of Latin when we're speaking English? Who cares what it would be in Latin? I sure don't. Unless I was speaking Latin, I have no obligation or commitment to follow Latin syntax. In fact, to follow Latin syntax would be a slap to English, which is what we are speaking.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spartiate
I suppose I just find it weird how the English language basically copies foreign words without corrupting them and then imposes english grammatical rules on them. It's like English is a melting pot of other europeen languages instead of a language in it's own, there are so many loanwords...
Please forgive me, for this has pretty much nothing to do with the topic at hand. Feel free to skip reading if you so desire.
What I findQuote:
Originally Posted by Spartiate
weirdretarded about crossover words is when proper names are "translated" into other languages. For example: Japan = Nippon? What? That's retarded. For some reason, the translation of proper names has always p!ssed me off.
I understand that sometimes it's done because certain sounds may be difficult for those of other cultures to pronounce. I have a Vietnamese friend whose proper name is "Thanh", said "Tang". He goes by "Bill". What???
When I was taking Spanish in Jr. high school (failed miserably), the teacher had a book that "translated" American English proper names to Spanish. Supposedly, my name, Steven, is translated to "Esteban". Nope, I don't think so. Not on my watch.
My parents named me Steven, not Esteban. Esteban is a Spanish name. Why the hell should I go by a different name because the language being spoken is different? That's just plain stupid as hell. A person's name is their name. Even if that name actually is a word that means something - say, April - you can't just go changing it to the Japanese equivalent of the month April. The name is April, not "4th month of the year". Or what if my name, Steve(n), were to literally translate to "Eater of butterflies"? Just because it means that in English doesn't give others the right to call me "Eater of butterflies" in their native language. No, my name is Steve, not Eater of butterflies.
Respect my authority, dammit!
That is all :D
Hehe, funny post Oneironaught. However, I find it equally awkward when people try to pronounce foreign words in English, so I can see why people do it...