Kerb Or Curb

[saki100]

hi all,

possibly a very stupid question, but would Thai students prefer to use kerb or curb when describing the side of the road...?

goodness, so easy yet so hard!

thanks in advance

[AceCafe]

But "curb" has nothing to do with the side of the road, so why would they "prefer" to learn something that is incorrect?

[davethailand]

if they wanted to do it proper English the would say kerb.

[saki100]

coolies thanks guys!

doh

[AceCafe]

But "curb" has nothing to do with the side of the road, so why would they "prefer" to learn something that is incorrect?

Actually I've just Googled it and realise "curb" is used by our friends over t'other side of the pond to describe a "kerb"......... how strange. I'll have to curb my enthusiasm for replying too quickly.

Edited April 17, 2009 by AceCafe

[joskydive]

It's funny you should ask that! It depends which country you come from. We English are taught that the side of the road is a kerb and we should curb our naughty thoughts or behaviour, however, when I checked the following you can use either!

Curb - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Curb (road), or kerb, the edge where a raised pavement/sidewalk/footpath, road median, or road shoulder meets an unraised street or other roadway.

[saki100]

and now... you see my dilemma...

the sentence is in regards to road safety... we stop at the kerb / curb.

i don't want to say the wrong thing. lets take a vote

[joskydive]

It really depends on where you are teaching. Are you following an American Programme or an English Programme in your school? There are numerous variations of the English Language in both countries.

[saki100]

english english not american english

[joskydive]

Then Kerb, it is!

[saki100]

lol aren't we having fun tonight!

[chiang mai]

Then Kerb, it is!

Agreed

[pampal]

how about rubber or eraser?

[PhilHarries]

how about rubber or eraser?

Rubber is what the Americans call a condom but what is an Eraser? Is that what they used to use before the "Delete" key was invented?

[IMA_FARANG]

Wasn't it Churchill who said that the U.S. and England were "two countries seperated by a common language"?

Anyhow you say Tomato, and I say Tomato.

An eraser is what is on top of a pencil to a Yank.

[harrry]

I think you should teach both words and then indicate that one is preferred in the Rnglish style the school uses. If both words are taught there is at least understanding if either version is read, Lanaguge should be about communication not pedantry.

[PhilHarries]

I think you should teach both words and then indicate that one is preferred in the Rnglish style the school uses. If both words are taught there is at least understanding if either version is read, Lanaguge should be about communication not pedantry.

Well there's truth in what you say to a point provided the language doesn't become so mutated that sections of society don't have a clue what is being talked about. I find most Brits more able to understand American English than the other way round thanks mainly to Hollywood.

ps What's a pencil?

[Ijustwannateach]

Personally, I don't find the word 'curb' or 'kerb' coming up frequently enough in my classes to have an opinion here, though I know that the point is of Earth-shattering importance.

[PhilHarries]

Personally, I don't find the word 'curb' or 'kerb' coming up frequently enough in my classes to have an opinion here, though I know that the point is of Earth-shattering importance.

Quite, and if you find yourself instructing your child in road safety in English and tell them to "Stop at the kerb and look both ways for traffic" it matters little whether you use a 'c' or a 'k'.

[PeaceBlondie]

Okay, does a British kerb have to be raised? American curbs are

[chiang mai]

Okay, does a British kerb have to be raised? American curbs are

Curb your toungue, of course a kerb has to be raised.