Childish drawing contest or Drawing Contest for Children ?

Question

Hi-Which one is correct ?"Childish Drawing Contest" or"Drawing Contest for Children" (or Kids) ?The idea is to announce a drawing contest for the kids of our employees.A brief explanation on why one is preferred over the other would be appreciated.Regards,Luciano

RayH · Accepted Answer

"Childish Drawing Contest" or this is not the meaning you want.

"Drawing Contest for Children" (or Kids) ? This is OK

Or this "Children's Drawing Contest"

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks for the prompt reply.

But when the folks in charge of the communications read the first definition they sort of took that as a confirmation that "childish drawing contest" is correct.

"Of, relating to, or suitable for a child or childhood"

Something like "well, if its suitable for a child" then that's exactly the word we are looking for. "Childish drawing contest" it is.
They also said they checked with a native speaker and the guy agreed that the above is correct.

Any other arguments I can resort to ?

Appreciated your help.

Luciano

Clive · Answer

Hi,
The word 'childish' is usually used to describe something or someone that is expected to have adult characteristics, but instead has characteristics that are typical of a child.

eg An adult might say 'I don't want to watch this TV show, because it is childish.'

Thus, it could make sense to describe the foolish behaviour of an adult as childish, but it wouldn't make sense to describe the behaviour of a child as childish.

Best wishes, Clive

Nona the brit · Answer

I don't believe that a genuine native speaker would ever approve this.

Try this definition (from Cambridge dictionary)

adjective
1 typical of a child:
childish handwriting

2 DISAPPROVING If an adult is childish, they behave badly in a way that would be expected of a child:
He wasn't enjoying the occasion so he thought he'd spoil it for everyone else - it was very childish of him.

In any case you are not looking for the meaning 'suitable for a child' or 'typical of a child'. You are looking for a meaning that something is restricted to children. Only children can enter the competition - this isn't the same as 'suitable for a child' etc.

The 2nd meaning here is the most common use of the word 'childish' and it is a very negative word. Even the first is negative. You wouldn't say a child had childish writing. You would say that an adult had childish writing - and that would be an insult. It basically means 'immature' or 'acting below your age'. To be acting as a child, or having something suitable for children, or behaving in a way typical of children, when you are NOT a child.

Children would also be insulted by being called 'childish'. It suggests that they are acting younger than their age - i.e. call a 10 year old childish and you are implying that they act like, say, a 5 year old, or that they are acting generally immaturely and in a silly way.

'Childish' really is totally inappropriate.

To give the meaning of 'entry restricted to children' you have to use 'children's competition' or 'competition for children'.

You could also try the argument that they wouldn't look for an adjective meaning 'suitable for' if it were a contest for adults. they would say 'adult's contest' or 'contest for adults' not 'contest suitable for adults'. This context is no different.

Good luck! It seems that your company is determined to make itself look silly.

RayH · Answer

AnonymousThey also said they checked with a native speaker and the guy agreed that the above is correct.

I would love to meet the "native speaker" in question. Either he is being less than honest about his English skills or he is afraid to disagree with management. No native speaker would accept the "Childish Drawing Contest" formulation as having the meaning you say you want in your original post.

Childish drawing contest or Drawing Contest for Children ?

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