Wages for this project is $2000.
I would say the wages ARE $2000. But if I were proofreading it, I would dodge the issue and change this to SALARY or COMPENSATION.
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Quote from: Xavier_Onassis on Today at 08:55:03 AM
The wages for this year is less than the wages for last year.
And that one sounds fine to me.
Well, not to me. I would say WAGES ARE or the WAGE IS.
Or dodge the issue and use the word EARNINGS.
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I have actually been paid on numerous occasions for editing and proofreading in English. I suppose that the marketplace is at least one respected authority on this.
I think the authors of the KJV of the Bible were trying to emulate the structure of the Hebrew word here, and used a plural English word to translate a plural Hebrew word. And blew it. But the KJV has been around for so long that the bad translations and grammar in it have gained respect as an authority.
Like "The song of the turtle is heard in the Land."
Turtles, of course, are mute (at least most of them), lacking voiceboxes and all. I suppose someone could find an example of some rare turtle that makes deliberate tapping or clicking sounds here or there. But the one thing I thing everyone can agree on is that turtle songs are nonexistent. Never has a turtle sered as a Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass or Contralto. Turtles will never gain fame for their coloratura or yodeling.
This is a mistranslation of the Hebrew word that translates 'tórtola' in Spanish, and is ofter rendered as 'turtle dove' in English. There is no real kinship between turtles and doves. The term 'turtle dove' was apparently created to make the KJV's translators not lok like utter fools.
What it means is that "the sound of the cooing of doves" is heard in the land, ie the land is at peace. Pigeons have a tough time of it in wartime, as they make good targets for archery practice, and can be a source of tasty added protein in a soldier's boring diet of gruel or porridge. And as such, it makes sense, and the theologians can dispense with their mission to "walk the Bible " in search of turtlesongs.
Come to think of it, I am thinking that "Turlesong" might be at least as good a bizarre name for a singing group as "Barenaked Ladies" is for a group consisting entirely of clothed males.
