On the train home I was pondering the difference between guerrilla marketing and gorilla marketing. Antonio points out that the Cadbury’s Phil Collins advert might be an example of gorilla marketing, but I think it’s probably deeper than that. According to Wikpedia: Guerrilla marketing is an unconventional system of promotions that relies on time, energy… Continue reading Guerrilla vs Gorilla
Tag: english
Literacy and Professionalism
I remember a time, not very long ago, when people assumed a link between literacy and professionalism. When producing text for public consumption people would always take the time to ensure that their spelling and grammar were correct. Obvious errors in copy would be seen as a lack of attention to detail and would throw… Continue reading Literacy and Professionalism
R U Avail?
An SMS that I have received twice today: Hello. R U Avail & Looking 4 work? I have a 3 mnth contract at the BBC – £310 P/Day 4 a good Perl Dev? If yes pls call ASAP at [removed] – Rgrds Kathe @ PCR Even if I was available and looking “4” work, I’d… Continue reading R U Avail?
Tesco Improves its English
From the BBC: Tesco is to change the wording of signs on its fast-track checkouts to avoid any linguistic dispute. The supermarket giant is to replace its current “10 items or less” notices with signs saying “Up to 10 items”. Tesco’s move follows uncertainty over whether the current notices should use “fewer” instead of “less”… Continue reading Tesco Improves its English
Translating from Russian
A few day ago, I noticed this Russian blog entry which used one of my photos of Montserrat. When adding the link to Delicious I commented that it would be good if could read Russian so that I understood what was being said. (Another) Dave reminded me that Google has a translation service which claims… Continue reading Translating from Russian
Ariel
You don’t have to be stupid to work for Radio 1. But it often helps. Someone called Dom, writes on the Chris Moyles show blog: Now then – the BBC has its own in-house magazine called Ariel. This name is very clever as it can relate to a TV ariel or a radio ariel. Two… Continue reading Ariel
Quoting Illiterates (Update)
An email has flooded in about my previous post confirming that I was being too harsh. My correspondent points out that the mother was illiterate, she was just using “txtspk” which, whilst not being a dialect that many people enjoy reading, is still becoming an acceptable language amongst the young. I don’t agree with this… Continue reading Quoting Illiterates (Update)
Quoting Illiterates
The BBC have an interesting report on the baby who was mauled to death by the family rottweiler. The story talks about the child’s mother’s reaction to the death. It’s interesting because of the way that they report what she says. The quotations from the mother in the story obviously come from two sources –… Continue reading Quoting Illiterates
The English Language
A predictable furore over at the BBC HYS about the future of the corporation. An astonishing number of people seem to like to use the BBC forums to tell everyone how much they hate the BBC. Here’s my personal favourite so far: Changes should be made immediately by canceling contract for the likes of Jonathan… Continue reading The English Language
“Less Delays”
Does no-one speak English any more? In Leicester Square station last night I saw a Transport for London poster that proudly declared that the work they are currently doing on the network will lead to “less delays”. Do they mean “less delay”? Or perhaps “fewer delays”? I wonder how many people approved that copy. And… Continue reading “Less Delays”