Mike Cleaver wrote: The point is, there is no one who checks copy before it goes to air or to print or on the net these days, despite the plethora of web-based dictionaries, thesauri, encyclopaedia etc. that point the way to proper spelling, grammar and fact-checking.
In the old days, at least a second set of eyes saw everything before it went to the end-user.
That's why you see and hear BN copy riddled with errors, not necessarily in fact but collective nouns with plural verbs, dangling participles, "impact" being used as a verb and all the other errors for which your sixth grade teacher would have rapped your knuckles if you were brought up in the '50's and 60's.
These errors are spread by people who read the copy on-air until it becomes common usage.
Even English teachers these days don't teach English any more.
You should see some of the material, supposedly written by professionals, that crosses my screen every day.
I spend more time correcting mistakes in copy than actually recording the stuff.
Does anyone even read or use the BN and/or CP Style Books. With all the news about the Canadian Forces it is quite amazing how many errors are made in terminology.
The HMCS Whatever --- is saying The Her Majesty's Canadian Ship.
It's not an honour guard .... It is a guard of honour (to honour someone)
It's not half staff -- Flags are flown at half-mast
Sailors are aboard ship, not soldiers unless they are part of the support trades like cooks, and logistics. Yes there are aircrew aboard ship as all large Canadian ships carry aircraft (helicopters)
A ship is not a boat. A ship can carry a boat unless the boat is a submarine
At Remembrance ceremonies Last Post and Rouse are played not Taps or Reveille.
Unless a regimental or royal colour is on parade the group is called a "flag party" a Colour Party is reserved for consecrated "colours".
The PPCLI is Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry or the Patricias not the Pats.
There endeth today's lesson