Help me with English, please.

muxec · June 12, 2003, 05:09

People, i need to write in some ****ing doc. , that Lego helps people to advance their geometric skills and 3D imaginatioin... How to write this in normal English language?

Dauphin · June 12, 2003, 05:18

Just that line in coherent English? Rephrasing what you said :

Lego helps children to improve their geometry and 3-D spatial awareness skills.

Eli · June 12, 2003, 05:20

"spatial"

I love this word, it sounds so smart yet simple.

Fve Crathva · June 12, 2003, 05:22

"improve the skills of spacial coordination and relation"?

SP

The Mad Monk · June 12, 2003, 05:22

Well, isn't that spatial?

MikeH · June 12, 2003, 05:24

Big Crunch's sentence is perfect.

muxec · June 12, 2003, 05:26

People, is it spaCial or spaTial?

MikeH · June 12, 2003, 05:33

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=spatial
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=spacial

They are both right, isn't English great!

muxec · June 12, 2003, 05:39

What is UK English and what is US English?

Dauphin · June 12, 2003, 05:50

They are acceptable in both US and Standard English, but spacial is the less commonly used variant in both, to my knowledge.

MikeH · June 12, 2003, 05:56

Yep, agreed. I'd always use spatial.

FrustratedPoet · June 12, 2003, 07:12

As far as I can remember I've only every seen "spatial" used, so I think it'd be best to go with that one. While spelling it with a C is technically correct it's more likely that people will think it's a spelling mistake ... even though it's not.

alva · June 12, 2003, 09:34

Quote:

Originally posted by FrustratedPoet
As far as I can remember I've only every seen "spatial" used, so I think it'd be best to go with that one. While spelling it with a C is technically correct it's more likely that people will think it's a spelling mistake ... even though it's not.

Use the 'C', let your teacher mark it as an error, then correct her in front of the whole class

SpencerH · June 12, 2003, 10:06

I didnt play with LEGO as a child (too expensive), it's probably why I have consistently scored very low in the spatial relationship sections on various tests

. The funny part about that is that I can see 3D objects in my mind quite well, but I cant mentally manipulate 2D jigsaw puzzles (I dont do those either).

Locutus · June 12, 2003, 10:36

Quote:

Originally posted by alva
Use the 'C', let your teacher mark it as an error, then correct her in front of the whole class

Yup, I used to do stuff like that all the time. One of my favourites was to intentionally use 'therefor' where it could be possible to use 'therefore' as well. They always fall for that one

Of course, in real life one would want to avoid such confustion but messing with teachers is always fun...

Cruddy · June 12, 2003, 11:23

Quote:

Originally posted by muxec
What is UK English and what is US English?

Both!

US English is very strict on a lot of rules - z's not s's in words like Civilization ("Civilisation"), no u in color ("colour") and a lot of other nitty gritty stuff.

UK English is broader and generally less strict. We allow American spellings alongside the UK/European (although that color might lose you a point or 2 on a spelling test). UK Dictionaries will give many different spellings of the same word, although aluminum (US?) and aluminium (UK) is one exception. I guess this is down to the different pronounciations.

As for the "Spatial" UK/US, I've never seen the "Spacial" spelling used - so "Spatial" seems a good way to do it.

Nice definition Big Crunch.Some other good properties of Lego is that encourages kids to build models, and is reusable, and shows how a bigger whole can be made of smaller individual components.

DAVOUT · June 12, 2003, 11:31

Quote:

Originally posted by alva

Use the 'C', let your teacher mark it as an error, then correct her in front of the whole class

This refers to a teacher-person, I suppose.

:

Zkribbler · June 12, 2003, 11:36

Quote:

Originally posted by Cruddy

US English is very strict on a lot of rules - z's not s's in words like Civilization ("Civilisation")

...and Zkribbler! You forgot Zkribbler!!

alva · June 12, 2003, 11:42

Don't forget that english is better for playing scrabble

Cruddy · June 12, 2003, 11:45

Quote:

Originally posted by Zkribbler

...and Zkribbler! You forgot Zkribbler!!

Erm... I wasn't aware this was an issue for you!

Some people claim that the UK should standardise spellings and let the dictionaries shrink - but it's not really a popular idea. In my opinion, we would rather see the language grow and get more diverse (you'll never see "chuddies" in a US dictionary! Hindi? for underpants.)

Oh yes, and "spatial awareness" is one skill that is examined and measured using IQ tests .

FrustratedPoet · June 12, 2003, 11:48

Quote:

Originally posted by Cruddy
(you'll never see "chuddies" in a US dictionary! Hindi? for underpants.)

Kiss my chuddies, man ......... innit!

Has it actually made it into the OED now?

Dauphin · June 12, 2003, 11:52

Quote:

Originally posted by Cruddy
UK Dictionaries will give many different spellings of the same word, although aluminum (US?) and aluminium (UK) is one exception. I guess this is down to the different pronounciations.

It didn't help that the guy that originally discovered alumium, Humphrey Davy(?), chose to rename it aluminum, and then rename it again to aluminium to fit in with all the other -ium elements.