Give me an example of grammar nazi on this forum.. I've not encountered any, all moderate, except one who went up to the point of opening a thread on it. That title is relative, and relativity somehow never points to ourselves.

Alright, I'll budge in.
Fish is both singular and plural. Fishes is only plural, however, it is used only to address many types of the fish.
If an aquarium is filled with only piranha, there are many fish in that aquarium. If an aquarium is filled with piranha, sharks, clownfish and so, there are many fishes in that aquarium.
Taught within the syllabus of English in Science and Technology. Subject to errors and correction.

The first option is accurate.
"Guide to become a lawyer" suggest a guide to become one. After 'to', the word is preferably the root word. Besides, the 'become' in this context meant the result, not the process, hence the guide to become lawyer.
"Guide to becoming a lawyer" is grammatically incorrect. If insisted on writing in this style, it should be "Guide of becoming a lawyer" as 'becoming' in this context meant the process of being one, not the end result, so the guide is explaining the process.
Subject to errors and correction.

Not really sure about the 'to' information. I'll enquire with both my English Language teacher, and my English for Science & Technology teacher. If I'm wrong, I'll stand corrected.
More information on the fish, fishes, though meant many types of fish can be replaced with just fish in the new module. However, it's best to stick with my elaboration, or search up in the Internet for a formal explanation.
Subject to errors and correction.

I stand corrected. Truth to be told, I've never had a formal English education, but an informal education had made me near-native to the language. This would certainly be a spark to begin an actual English study.

I've dual-enrolled in kindergardens from morning to evening as to provide a language and literacy foundation, and that was probably my only formal education in English Language. From primary to current, I was constantly either excused from English syllabi for extracurricular trainings or was deprived of it since my English teacher, also my class teacher, used the periods to discuss extrasyllabi matters.
Informal education in my context is indeed home-schooling, but only for languages. Self-study as others call it.

EducationABC,
My mother tongue language, as defined by the Oxford's Advanced Learners Dictionary to be my first language, is the English Language and is quite manipulative of my accent.
So far, I'm grown naturally to understand Malay Language, simple Iban, Mandarin and other Chinese dialects including Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka and Foochow. Now, I'm interested in mastering them as well as other Chinese dialects or any local languages before even thinking of pursuing foreign languages.
How about you?

Worse is a comparative, a word that compare between two stuffs.
Therefore, worse should be used to compare between two things, such as in the phrase, "My apple is worse than yours". You can also break the comparison to two sentences, as in, "Your apple is bad. However, my apple is worse." Always note that comparative words must oppose to something.
Worst is a superlative, a word that express the highest level of something.
Therefore, for worst, it is the highest level of 'badness' you can achieve. In a phrase, "My apple is the worst." That means the apple is the baddest compared to all there is.
Briefly, you can treat worse as 'lebih buruk' and worst as 'paling buruk'.
Subject to errors and correction.

There's multiple method for that, with each suits a particular setting.
For a formal, or serious talks, such as if you're a receptionist, an assistant or any career requiring you to answer calls, a formal reply should ensue.
"May I know how am I to address you, (sir /ma'am) ?"
"May I know your name (sir / ma'am) ?
The point that the sir or ma'am are in brackets is because they are optional. There's no need to discriminate their gender, just be direct. Don't use them especially if you can't differentiate the voice of a female or male.
A less formal alternative would be,
"May I know who's on the phone?"
"May I know who's this?"
"May I know who am I speaking to?"
Or the informal alternative, which is only suitable for a friend or if you're reluctant to promote English proficiency in Malaysia.
"This is?"
"You are?"
"Your name?"
It'll depend on the setting.

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Added on August 16, 2011, 2:39 pmI do realise that I had grammatical errors on my answer. However, the Edit link on the mobile site is currently unavailable. And, I'm really exhausted today.

This post has been edited by reconnaissance: Aug 16 2011, 02:39 PM

While browsing through the posts in this thread, I recognized a post explaining that I made English a way of life, while the others try to retain their cultures.
What made you think I don't retain my culture? I speak Hokkien with my aunts and uncles on a regular basis, English with my parents on a regular basis, Malay with friends on a regular basis, Chinese with some classmates on a regular basis. And, by regular basis, I meant always, almost every single day.
I retain my culture, unlike those "bimbo" "Paris Hilton-like" Chinese that I myself also hate.

You'd have to check for the essay requirement instruction, on whether it is a personal statement, free essay or otherwise.
For a personal statement, career aspiration would surely fit, as it describe about you, as in how a certain something shape the dream behind your spirit and motivation.
It'll depend much on the instruction given.

Well.. No relevant questions are currently in discussion.

In a society where English proficiency is immense, and formal languages adhered to grammatical rules as if they are normal in everyday communications, then the 's' would count.
There won't be a ground rule of rejection if you don't write more than one. In this context, the plural in the aspiration is placed in case the applicants want to write more than one.
Don't need to worry. Career aspiration can encompass many things, from what inspires you, to what you want / aspire from this career, to what do you hope for.
It'll be okay as long as you can grasps the reviewer's interest while yet describing your interest of the topic.

If you have a rough image, or your actual aspiration is shittily boring, then make up one. Create it with mixture of factual fantasy and creative imagination.
All you should care about in application essays is to grab the reviewer's attention and interest, but yet fulfilling the essay criteria. Truth isn't enough, so additional reinforcement of creativity is really needed.
All you should really remember is that you are the applicant, so all you need to do it to make them accept you at all cost. They won't rescind your entry once you've entered for dishonest aspiration. That'll be absurd.
However, always be reminded that you cannot lie about real factual and permanent details, such as death of family member, iconic past, or participation in prestigious functions that are untrue. That'll be the reason of dishonest application, since all those can be checked and investigated, although they won't bother to do so.

Aspiration had lots of definitions, so there's no definite meaning.
By interpreting the definition in my mobile Meriam-Webster Unabridged, aspiration meant the strong desire for realization. Therefore, it could mean the inspiration behind, or how strong you longed to realize your dream. In this context, you can add what have you done so far in addition of your great desire to achieve that dream.
Aspiration could also mean the end or result that is aspired to. So, it could just be that dream itself.
Just make as though you've done your best to achieve a dream that's achievable through academic efforts and all that's left is them to decide your future.

Well..
That's obvious. English is widespread and different accent, style or slang had made English different in all parts of the world. Besides, the different coining of new words happen in different parts of the world, hence causing a difference in vocabulary.
However, this thread, I believe, is to improve those of formal situation. In formal, academic setting, such as in test papers or examinations. There is an important demand to teach such.
Some Malaysians don't even know formal English of at least one part. It is true that you'll eventually adapt, but there's situations where you need formal English to even be in other country for adaption to begin.
Whatever you've said is very very true. But always think of different perspective and you'll see the importance beyond existance of something, because if its not, it'd not be created and receive such great support.

Yea.
I've installed Meriam-Webster engine on my mobile, with dictionary database of Meriam-Webster Unabridged, Collegiate, Medical and Pocket.
Best thing about it is with the Sound Modules installed, you can listen to pronunciations on the go as you come across words above your vocabulary.