Guide to Politcal discourse - Arguments, Rhetoric and Logic

[Epictetus]

While it is true that long phrases in Latin do little to help the dialouge, small pieces have become a part of general academic writing, and are good to know, as well as being a shorthand for concepts you expect your reder to know.

Ergo, and (sic.) being in the first category,

Post hoc, ergo propter hoc being in the second.

[telkanuru]

I disagree. Using latin doesn't raise the discussion to any level at all. Tradition yes, making you look like a smarty pants yes - raising the discussion level ... no. I understand a bit of Latin (I had to learn a bit when I was stdying Biology) but would much rather people typed proper sentences, checked their spelling (even if they have used a spellchecker) and used proper grammar. I suppose that would be too much to ask these days... (I'm not even 30 yet I sound like an OAP).

I understand you wanting to use it after 4 years of it.

I would love a spell checker. Add one?

And I also love looking like a smarty pants

[Epictetus]

Thanks for the clarification telkanuru. None of the schools I have gone to have offered Latin, so what little I know has been picked up from random sources. Not the best way to learn, but all I have so far.

[dunastor]

Erratus humanus est- lit. 'to err is human'. Keep this in mind when you find fault with this post.

"to err is human" is better translated as "errare humanum est".

[Gav]

Well when one is on the high horse, one had better be prepared for the big fall...

It was hastily typed. Normally my spelling is excellent. I've been up since 5am UK time and I am pretty tired right now - easy mistake to make.

Well done smarty pants.

[Inquartata]

sic- lit. 'thus'. Placed next to a misspelling/inaccuracy in the original to note the error is known but part of the original.

Huh, I always thought it was an acronym: "spelling incorrect" or "structure incorrect"; sic being Latin for "yes" I somehow never made the connection...