[Ads-l] French Prescriptive Grammarians strike again

[victor steinbok]

Apparently, there's a new drive to simplify a minor rule in French grammar.
Of course, that triggers pedantic reactions.

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-45414751
...
The rule was imported from Italy by pedants in the 16th Century and is
being dropped in everyday use, the pair argue.

The suggestion led to anger and derision on social media, with some arguing
the change would amount to ignoring the subtleties of the language.

One teacher and grammar expert said the change was akin to "wanting to raze
all the little streets in an old city".
...
Another user says if the rule is dropped, why not also drop the offside
rule in football? That way, he argues, schoolchildren will be able to spell
phonetically and football players will be able to play with their hands.
...
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So the invented rule protects the subtleties of language. Right...

VS-)

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