Re: Grammar

Herman Rubin wrote:
> 
> In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
> Bob LeChevalier  <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >[EMAIL PROTECTED] (ivy_mike) wrote:
> >>Bob LeChevalier <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> 
> >>> Passive exposure to language is relatively worthless, though my
> >>> non-native kids learned their first English from Barney.
> 
> >>How could you better contradict yourself in one sentence?
> 
> >The English they learned from Barney was their first English, but what
> >they learned was indeed relatively useless (unless you think that
> >going around singing Barney songs is a particularly useful mode of
> >communication).  They acquired *skill* in English by interacting with
> >other kids that spoke English.
> 
> Or by learning to read phonically, and reading English.
> 
Being able to read English doesn't mean you can pronounce it in a
generally understood manner.