I'm not referring to anyone in particular, Stephen, although you certainly can be blunt sometimes. But I much appreciate your corrections, which have been very helpful for me and are typically quite thoughtful. And I am very confident about your motive in helping a fellow learner. In fact, I agree with you that direct and to the point corrections are most helpful.Stephen Hughes wrote:If yo are referring to me, I think that correction should be absolute, direct, clear, unmixed with either shame or other emotion. Language correction from the outside for some degree sets the pattern or tone for how self-correction from the inside will be done. In my opinion that should be as efficient as possible. Being subtle or polite makes things complex. In a balanced moment, the corrector becomes the corectee's self-correction.Thomas Dolhanty wrote:It is better to try things out and learn language expression by trial and error in a more closed setting. And that is especially true when the correction is less than subtle. I hasten to add honestly that I am not speaking here from personal experience, nor do I have a personal complaint in this regard.
In situation where manners and carrying on are appropriate, corrections can be left for the person themselves to process, understand and apply.
My point is not about the corrector, or the corrections, but rather it is about who should be privy to the exchange.