"Fewer than 10": Linguistic web-experiment

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rwfnouwen@gmail.com - 04 Sep 2008 17:11 GMT

Hi,

For a pilot experiment we're conducting, I need (English) language
enthusiasts to fill in a very small web survey on the use of
cardinality expressions such as "fewer than 10". This is why I'm
writing to you all to ask whether you could spare one minute of your
time to fill in two questions at:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=vNA0hlGbFnmzCA9_2fplkgCA_3d_3d

Please forward the link to other language enthusiasts.

I will post a summary of the results, once they are in.

Thanks in advance,

Dr. R.W.F. Nouwen
Utrecht University

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Tony Mountifield - 04 Sep 2008 21:12 GMT

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> I will post a summary of the results, once they are in.

I'm afraid question 2 is ambiguous. I cannot disagree with the number
being expressed in any of the statements. However, I can state whether
I think the statement is phrased correctly. But that is not what the
question asks.

Cheers
Tony

Signature

Tony Mountifield
Work: tony@softins.co.uk - http://www.softins.co.uk
Play: tony@mountifield.org - http://tony.mountifield.org

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Ildhund - 05 Sep 2008 09:42 GMT

> In article
> <f1efb684-f3f5-4b22-be04-bc63bb5e8345@a2g2000prm.googlegroups.com>,

>> For a pilot experiment we're conducting, I need (English)
>> language enthusiasts to fill in a very small web survey on the
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> state whether I think the statement is phrased correctly. But that
> is not what the question asks.

I agree. Why not just ask "Given that ..., would you say that..."
with Yes, No and Not sure as possible answers?

Incidentally, I had to turn off High Contrast in XP just to be able
to find and click the check blobs.

Signature

Noel

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Paul - 07 Sep 2008 16:33 GMT

> > I'm afraid question 2 is ambiguous. I cannot disagree with the
> > number being expressed in any of the statements. However, I can
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> I agree. Why not just ask "Given that ..., would you say that..."
> with Yes, No and Not sure as possible answers?

I felt some statements find acceptance in non-formal or conversational
contexts but not in formal language.
Yes. The 'yes', 'no' and 'not sure' options do not help you express
what you really wish to.

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Discussion Groups / British English / September 2008

"Fewer than 10": Linguistic web-experiment