Gonna, wanna, gotta

[nq:1]Although I am a bit of a purist, I would like to see gonna, wanna and gotta included in the lexicon. Are they not truly what people actually say? Alan[/nq]
What do you mean by "included in the lexicon"? They're fully recognised forms listed in Collins, for example.

Collins lists these words as "slang"; I'd say they're closer to "informal"; but they're certainly "in the lexicon".

[nq:1]On 28 Jul 2004, Alan OBrien wrote Collins lists these words as "slang"; I'd say they're closer to "informal"; but they're certainly "in the lexicon". Ottawa/Toronto/Edmonton for 30 years;[/nq]
What a shame! If I'd've put "Gonna, gotta wanna" as the subject heading the name of Ottawa would magically have appeared!
Thanks for the answer!
Alan

[nq:1]Although I am a bit of a purist, I would like to see gonna, wanna and gotta included in the lexicon. Are they not truly what people actually say?[/nq]
I suppose by 'lexicon' you mean 'dictionary' (COD10 sense 2); most of the are already in 'the vocabulary of a person, language, or branch of knowledge' (COD10 sense 1). So let's check a small modern dictionary, but only the next-to-last ed

[nq:1]Although I am a bit of a purist, I would like to see gonna, wanna and gotta included in the lexicon. Are they not truly what people actually say?[/nq]
Yep. Along with "gotcha."
Those words cause endless nightmares for court reporters. Some have started writing "gotcha," which I approve of 100%. The others we continue to transcribe as "going to," "want to," and "got to."

Dena

[nq:1]Although I am a bit of a purist, I would like to see gonna, wanna and gotta included in the lexicon. Are they not truly what people actually say?[/nq]
Yeah, sorta.
Dictionaries should include these words, because some people will wonder what they mean and try to look them up. OTOH dictionaries should be careful to avoid appearing to condone the use of these words - especially in form

[nq:2]Although I am a bit of a purist, I would ... the lexicon. Are they not truly what people actually say?[/nq]
[nq:1]Yep. Along with "gotcha." Those words cause endless nightmares for court reporters. Some have started writing "gotcha," which I approve of 100%. The others we continue to transcribe as "going to," "want to," and "got to."[/nq]
Yes, that's exactly what I meant.The newspape

[nq:2]Yep. Along with "gotcha." Those words cause endless nightmares for ... to transcribe as "going to," "want to," and "got to."[/nq]
[nq:1]Yes, that's exactly what I meant.The newspapers sometimes report, "He shouted out 'I'm going to kill you.'" When it was more likely 'gonna'.[/nq]
Whenever I threaten to kill someone, I try to use good diction. I don't want to look all bad.
s/ mei

[nq:2]Yes, that's exactly what I meant.The newspapers sometimes report, "He shouted out 'I'm going to kill you.'" When it was more likely 'gonna'.[/nq]
[nq:1]Whenever I threaten to kill someone, I try to use good diction. I don't want to look all bad.[/nq]
"Whenever you absolutely have to kill a man it never hurts to be polite." Winston Churchill.

[nq:2]Whenever I threaten to kill someone, I try to use good diction. I don't want to look all bad.[/nq]
[nq:1]"Whenever you absolutely have to kill a man it never hurts to be polite." Winston Churchill.[/nq]
Great minds think alike!
Or, more likely, that's where I got the idea.
s/ meirman If you are emailing me please
say if you are posting the same response.
Born west of

[nq:2]Although I am a bit of a purist, I would ... the lexicon. Are they not truly what people actually say?[/nq]
[nq:1]Yeah, sorta. Dictionaries should include these words, because some people will wonder what they mean and try to look them ... third "colloquial". I think that's the best approach. OTOH it doesn't have "sorta" (but does have "kinda" ("non-standard")). Cheers, Daniel.[/nq]