Tell me why I'm wrong!

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Buttonmash

361 posts

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# 39447 14-Aug-2009 06:52

This has been a pet peeve of mine for a while. But I'm sure there's a grammatical reason for this I've just never picked up.

It's the way the media refer to the Ministry of Health, calling it the Health Ministry. Eg:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/2750683/Plan-to-gut-Health-Ministry

vs

http://moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf

Can someone please explain to me why they do it that way?

Byrned

453 posts

Ultimate Geek
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# 246764 14-Aug-2009 20:43

Well technically it is grammatically wrong as the proper name for it is the Ministry of Health, not the Health Ministry. Its a bity like calling Bob Smith Smith Bob.

Buttonmash

361 posts

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# 246778 14-Aug-2009 21:28

That's exactly my thinking. But then they're journalists so I'd expect they'd get it right and there's some reasoning in there.

nickd

447 posts

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# 246799 14-Aug-2009 23:29

Buttonmash: I'd expect they'd get it right

Haha, please tell me I'm wrong in thinking that you're being serious here.

Byrned

453 posts

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# 246938 15-Aug-2009 13:12

Well you'd like to think someone that makes communication their job to be more precise with it but sadly my expectations of journalists is low...

BurningBeard

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# 247506 17-Aug-2009 10:14

Byrned: Well you'd like to think someone that makes communication their job to be more precise with it but sadly my expectations of journalists is low...

Speaking from within the industry... I'm seeing a lot more younger staff being picked up - juniors seem to be coming into the journo-world totally lacking in basic spelling and grammar. Not to name names, but I know journo's/sub-editors who don't understand apostrophe placement.

My very metal Doctor Who theme

Buttonmash

361 posts

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# 247508 17-Aug-2009 10:17

BurningBeard:
Byrned: Well you'd like to think someone that makes communication their job to be more precise with it but sadly my expectations of journalists is low...

Speaking from within the industry... I'm seeing a lot more younger staff being picked up - juniors seem to be coming into the journo-world totally lacking in basic spelling and grammar. Not to name names, but I know journo's/sub-editors who don't understand apostrophe placement.

You make me a very sad panda.

bazzer

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# 247513 17-Aug-2009 10:28

BurningBeard: Speaking from within the industry... I'm seeing a lot more younger staff being picked up - juniors seem to be coming into the journo-world totally lacking in basic spelling and grammar. Not to name names, but I know journo's/sub-editors who don't understand apostrophe placement.

You d'ont say?

BurningBeard

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# 247547 17-Aug-2009 11:26

^^ LOL that further makes a case for re-reading posts before replying!

My very metal Doctor Who theme

BurningBeard

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# 247550 17-Aug-2009 11:29

Buttonmash: You make me a very sad panda.

It saddens me too.

I'm in advertising so don't have much to do with the editorial department - but across the board I'm noticing a general disregard for tried & tested rules and theory - the result being unprofessional sounding editorial and inneffective advertising.

My very metal Doctor Who theme

TinyTim

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# 247572 17-Aug-2009 11:59

Ministry of Health = proper name

Health ministry = adjective + noun, not a name. Capitalised because it's in a title or by error.

IMHO.