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BBC – Culture – Why is Canadian English unique?

Posted on by TechCommGeekMom

America’s neighbour resisted annexation by the US and its people remained subjects of the British monarch. But Canada’s English isn’t British or American, writes James Harbeck.

Source: BBC – Culture – Why is Canadian English unique?

Happy Canada Day! I was happy to see this article that is appropriate for this day, and see that it’s addressed. Americans often don’t realize how much Canada directly affects much of our culture. Some of our favorite actors, actresses, comedians, and musicians come from Canada. I swear that most of the HGTV channel’s programming comes from Canada! And there are a LOT of Canadian members of the STC, including our immediate past president, Bernard Aschwanden.

Canadian is a unique form of English. As the article says, it’s not quite British or American, yet there are elements of both. Perhaps the North American standard should not be US American, but Canadian as a bow to both of the main two dialects usually taught? Great article.

What do you think of this article? Include your comments below.

–TechCommGeekMom

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Should your content generate leads or relationships – Schaefer Marketing Solutions: We Help Businesses {grow}

Posted on by TechCommGeekMom

There are two content marketing camps. Should your content generate leads or relationships? A discussion of both views.

Source: Should your content generate leads or relationships – Schaefer Marketing Solutions: We Help Businesses {grow}

One of my digital marketing profs from Rutgers, Mark Schaefer, wrote this gem (although he writes a lot of gems).  I like his approach here–and it’s one that’s a big part of what I often say is the role of social media as well–is that content is to form relationships. You can generate lots of leads, but if those leads don’t turn into relationships, then they are worthless.  Social media, I’ve often argued, is one of the means of conversation in the relationship between customers/clients and providers.

What do you think about Mark’s take on this? Include your comments below.

–TechCommGeekMom

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What They Don’t Tell You as a Working Mom | Sallie Krawcheck | LinkedIn

Posted on by TechCommGeekMom

Here’s what working-outside-the-home mothers are told again and again: the early years of their kids’ lives are going to be tough. Sleep deprivation while trying to establish your career while working

Source: What They Don’t Tell You as a Working Mom | Sallie Krawcheck | LinkedIn

I thought Sallie Krawcheck got a raw deal when she was asked to leave Merrill Lynch. I was there at the time, and thought she was fabulous. Reading many of her articles, including this one, allows me to know that my faith in her abilities isn’t unwarranted.

I really like what Sallie has to say here. If anything, it’s a relief to know, based on what she’s written here, that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, albeit a long tunnel.  I’m right in the middle of those teen years with my son, and with his special needs piles on top of typical teen stuff, it’s not easy at all. Throw in the fact that I’m working two jobs, not just one, and that makes it all that much more difficult. Most women my age are coming to the end of those teen years, but not me, since I had my son later. And those “formative teen years” will probably extend beyond high school. My husband does help, but it’s not the same as being the mom.

I’m encouraged that eventually, things will let up, and I will be able to do more of what I want to do, and dedicate myself to projects that enthuse me more.  Sallie says there’s a light at the end of the tunnel–I have to believe her right now.

What do you think of this article? Include your comments below.

–TechCommGeekMom

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How to write good hyperlinks — Write Like a Human — Medium

Posted on by TechCommGeekMom

Click here. Find out more. Check this out.

Source: How to write good hyperlinks — Write Like a Human — Medium

Thanks to Amy Thibodeau for posting this on Facebook in the Content Strategists group.

This is a short but sweet article to help improve how to write hyperlinks in a more user-friendly manner.  This is something I work on for myself, but it’s also something I try to teach content providers when I edit and post content.  Much of the world is fairly digitally literate now, that if they see a hyperlink, they know it’s going to take them somewhere else.  The guidance here is easy to follow, and can help provide some great perspective on how to make hyperlinks easier to use for your users.

What do you think? Are you still part of the “click here” movement? (I know I’ve been working on breaking that habit–I don’t like it!)  Include your comments below.

–TechCommGeekMom

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The Double Vocabulary of English | Mental Floss

Posted on by TechCommGeekMom

Why does English have so many words that have twins? Here’s how we got to have two vocabularies, one based in Germanic roots, and one based in Latin.

Source: The Double Vocabulary of English | Mental Floss

As someone who thinks that she missed her calling by not studying and getting degrees in linguistics, I find this a fascinating little five minute video history of why English has more than one word for many verbs and nouns.  It’s said that English is complicated because of instances like this, but perhaps it’s actually richer for it.

What do you think of this video? Include your comments below.

–TechCommGeekMom