Forums or fora - dumbing down english?

[Amelia]

Fora is sometimes cited as the correct plural for forum. Although it is indeed correct, there is some debate over whether it is the only correct pluralisation. Most online dictionaries provide both fora and forums as acceptable terms.
You will notice that we use the plural forums here at MediaCollege.com. This is for two reasons:

1. It appears to be acceptable English.
2. It is the pragmatic solution.

Whilst we are against most forms of language dumbing-down, we are also against unnecessary complication. Everyone knows and understands the word forums. Most people don't know what fora means. There is almost no chance of changing that situation significantly, no matter how hard the purists might want to. Like the failed Esperanto language, we believe reality wins over idealism. It's sad but inescapably true.
We don't believe it makes sense to promote fora as the "correct" pluralisation because it creates confusion, offers no real benefit, and can't work anyway so it's pointless trying.

Agree or disagree?
Should the 'mark forums read' option stay as is?

[trini123]

Wow - i just learned something. This is the only thing learnt today.

I think it should be changed to fora. That would ensure we're using the bestest english.

[BW]

I would say fora from now on. Fora is a more spicy noun.

[bigzack]

I will be sure to ask mih pardner Buchoon, "Aye Choon show mih all the different types of ra yuh have dey?"

If he look at mih as if I is ah dotish fresh water, I go tell him, "Just show mih the Fernandes, the Angostura, and the Cockspur then"

[Mr Majik]

Forums is good. Fora is gooder.

[Mr Majik]

While we're at promoting "proper" English, why we don't put the ae back in words like encyclopaedia and paediatrics? Nah!

All who want to be "purist" can start referring to me as 'thee' and thou'.

Languages evolve. People should too.

Nuff said.

[snowbird]

for those of us who are 'spellitically' challenged....we appreciate the 'dumbing down' until such time that we cannot ascertain (or is that assertain? ) what is being communicated.

[amzz]

It doesn't matter to me.. really.

http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/forum

btw did anyone notice the news report last night with d word 'lawfullness' on d banner?
dat should be of more concern dan forUM :P

[Sirius]

while we're at promoting "proper" english, why we don't put the ae back in words like encyclopaedia and paediatrics? nah!

All who want to be "purist" can start referring to me as 'thee' and thou'.

Languages evolve. People should too.

Nuff said.

qft

[Sly1]

The Latin word “forum” is neuter gender. The neuter plural of this class of nouns ends in “-a”, therefore the plural of “forum” is “fora”. We see this in scientific nomenclature frequently, e.g. in biology we have a “phylum” (division) but the plural is “phyla”. Another commonly misused term is “criterion”; you can have one criterion as a standard of measurement or multiple “criteria” needed to lead a healthy life.

[guyguy]

Should the 'mark forums read' option stay as is?

Actually, TTOL is a Forum whereby people meet and discuss a variety of topics. These topics are subdivided within the Forum and are called Threads. Within these threads are posts which are the expressions of people that wish to write/say something. Therefore, the correct terminology isn't "mark forums read" but "Mark Threads Read" or "Mark Posts Read" since there is only one Forum that contains many Threads that themselves contain many posts.

[dancerboy]

It doesn't matter to me.. really.

http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/forum

btw did anyone notice the news report last night with d word 'lawfullness' on d banner?
dat should be of more concern dan forUM :P

AMZZ, my friend, I like that link. The words FORA, and FORUMS appear to have different meanings. English being what it is, doesn't not make the difference that is made in Spanish, or other "FOREIGN" languages. In spanish the verb: REGRESAR= TO RETURN, that is e.g he returned from school. Volver= to return. He returned my book. Then you have REVOLVER= return, He retrun the favor.



DANCERBOY

[dancerboy]

We often say :MEDIA, how often do we say : MEDIUM. If we do say MEDIUM, very rarely do we use it as the singular of MEDIA, unless it's a MEDIUM to a higher Authority.




DANCERBOY

[Angie]

Truth be told, I am too young to worry and too darn old to care!

[skl]

“English: A language that lurks in dark alleys, beats up other languages and rifles through their pockets for spare vocabulary.”

[lexbarker]

Fora for the language and grammar police like Falks and Forums for the rest of us.