Dick gave a list of alt process groups where there were more women than
men. In my classes the numbers reflect the number in the population. We do
not know the numbers of men and women on this list.
As to the numbers of men and women contributing to this list, a number of
people have told me, off list, that they prefer not post as they are
concerned that certain persons may either refer them to the archives or
trash their opinions or their grammar. It would be invidious to specify
the sex of either those who fear being trashed or that of those they fear.
As to the archives the people who are referred to them are often beginners
who just need initial guidance . They probably to not know enough yet to
know what questions to ask let alone find their way around an archive that
is, to a great extent, only accessible to those with experience. We all had
to ask these questions once. Let us help rather than hinder.
I know that certain people, whose experience and expertise mean that their
contributions to the list are likely to be valuable to us all, have been
driven away because they have better things to do than reply to personal
atacks resulting from their having the temerity to express a view based
upon their practical experience that happened to run counter to another's
opinion.
I have learnt a lot from this list from both men and women. I have had my
mistakes corrected. The list is a valuable forum from which we all can
learn from a healthy and intelligent exchange of views. In general that is
what we get on this list, and I , for one ,welcome the contributions to
this debate from those new to the list or who have 'lurked'.
Dennis makesthe pont that English is an international language. Its
richness results from its readiness to accept useful words from other
languages. As Dick says English has the flexibility to be mauled but still
produce meaning.
I hope that we can avoid those who maul meaning but purport to write
English.
Terry King