Cleartext: A text editor that only allows the 1,000 most common words in English

Re:Cleartext: A text editor that only allows the 1,000 most ... by sremani on Wednesday April 06, 2016 @04:48PM (#11441973)

This is the problem with intelligentsia, they want to sound intelligent, using "heavy hitter" words. What about the intelligent person who is non-native speaker? This association of English fluency with Intelligence has ruined untold number of careers in the world, esp. in countries where English is official but non-native language.

I welcome simplified English in every shape or form, from limiting words to changing spellings and streamline it. Its no more language of people from England, every one in the world has stake in it. English reformation is long over due.

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Re:Cleartext: A text editor that only allows the 1,000 most ... by WalterBright on Wednesday April 06, 2016 @05:24PM (#11442256)

> This is the problem with intelligentsia, they want to sound intelligent, using "heavy hitter" words.

Some people insert heavy hitter words into their speech in order to sound more intelligent. It comes across as unnatural and awkward, though.

But people who have acquired large vocabularies organically, by being around people who talk that way or by reading a lot, use it naturally and unthinkingly. And then there are authors and such who use language like a painter uses color. English is a very rich language, and if you want to paint a rich scene with words, there is quite a palette to choose from. Would you tell a painter he can only use primary colors?

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Re:Cleartext: A text editor that only allows the 1,000 most ... by jonathankoren on Wednesday April 06, 2016 @05:33PM (#11442324)

There's a huge difference between using the correct word, and using a proverbia 10 dollar word. Limiting yourself to the "ten hundred" most common words is just limiting. You can't even say you're hurt.[0]

[0] http://www.esldesk.com/vocabulary/words

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