TRUE, BUT -- A new PBS documentary on Bill Clinton referred to him as "the first Democratic President to win re-election to a second term since Franklin Roosevelt." Like many political speakers, this Clinton backer found something that is, indeed, true as far as it goes. The problem is that it doesn't go very far. At first blush it sounds impressive, until one asks, how many other Democratic Presidents have sought re-election since Franklin Roosevelt. Answer: One, Jimmy Carter, who lost to Ronald Reagan. Harry Truman and Lyndon Johnson chose not to run for a second term, and John Kennedy was assassinated.
OTHER FAVORITES -- "The only Democrat holding statewide elective office." In New Jersey at the time, there were only three statewide elective offices: Governor and two U.S. Senators. The state has since added a fourth, lieutenant governor. And there were the raceway ads that proclaimed "the fastest quarter-mile, high-banked, macadam speedway in the East." It may well have been the only one.
WILD GUESS -- A Philadelphia TV outlet led its news program with this: "A man was found bound, gagged and beaten, and police say it could be connected to a murder." If the man was found dead, there is no question that it was murder. If still alive, specify that.
GRAMMAR MANNERS -- The role of a linguist is to describe the forms and patterns of the language under study, and how it fits with other languages in the same group, e.g. Germanic, Slavic, Latin-based or some other set of related languages. The role of a grammarian is to study and describe the forms and patterns of how a particular language is used. In this way, the study of grammar is a subset within the larger field of linguistics. However, some who call themselves grammarians not only list the forms and patterns typically used by speakers and writers, but to insist that these are the rules that everyone must follow.
While it is true that speaking and writing a particular dialect may have economic advantages, there is no legal requirement that one do so. At least, not in America. Not yet.
Even so, speaking the language of the country does help in finding a job, and using the more prestigious dialect can lead to social and job advancement.
For proof, look around and take note of the speech of those in charge. They tend to speak the more socially accepted dialect. Except when they're on the campaign trail back home. Lyndon Johnson was a master at it.
Or, watch the movie "My Fair Lady," based on G.B. Shaw's play, "Pygmalion." Shaw's lead character, Professor Henry Higgins, was based on a real-life linguist name Henry Sweet, a pioneer in the study of phonetics, who reportedly was every bit as crotchety as the character so well portrayed by Rex Harrison.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Impeach This
BEWARE OF ABSOLUTES -- TV Weekly referred to Bill Clinton as "the first President to be impeached since Andrew Johnson in 1868." True, but it implies that there were others who were impeached before Johnson. Not true. Only two Presidents have ever been impeached -- Clinton and Andrew Johnson -- but neither was convicted. (Richard Nixon was not impeached: He resigned before the full House could vote on articles of impeachment approved by a House committee.)
An impeachment is like an indictment; it's a list of charges, nothing more. The House of Representatives is like a grand jury; it hears the evidence and approves the impeachment, which then goes to the Senate for trial. The Constitution is remarkably easy to read.
Note to candidates: Try it sometime.
An impeachment is like an indictment; it's a list of charges, nothing more. The House of Representatives is like a grand jury; it hears the evidence and approves the impeachment, which then goes to the Senate for trial. The Constitution is remarkably easy to read.
Note to candidates: Try it sometime.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Style
WHEN IN DOUBT, REPHRASE -- Or, when all else fails, read the directions. For writers, that means consulting a stylebook. You remember, the book you had to buy for Freshman Comp 101 but never read? The all-time best for brevity and wit is Strunk & White, The Elements of Style, still in print after more than 100 years. (My copy cost 75 cents.) Those of a certain age will remember A Writer's Reference by Diana Hacker. There are many others. Use them.
GLEANINGS of an ITINERANT SPELLER -- "Fishing poll" can only be a survey of haddock. "Hard road to hoe" would need a very strong worker to cut through the pavement with only a hand tool. Try "hard row to hoe." Hint: "Accomodate" needs two C's and two M's.
GLEANINGS of an ITINERANT SPELLER -- "Fishing poll" can only be a survey of haddock. "Hard road to hoe" would need a very strong worker to cut through the pavement with only a hand tool. Try "hard row to hoe." Hint: "Accomodate" needs two C's and two M's.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Spelling Counts
NOW HEW THIS -- The spelling system of any language is, at best, only an approximation of its pronunciation. Writing is, in fact, a totally arbitrary system of symbols and marks meant to convey the sounds of a language; and compared to modern gadgetry, a very primitive method of recording speech.
Language changes with time. What is agreed upon as a convenient and conventional way of recording speech with certain symbols may, in a few years, no longer accurately represent the way people speak. (Modern English orthography more nearly represents the pronunciation of Queen Elizabeth I than the current monarch.) Nevertheless, we retain the spelling system because it would be neither feasible nor practical to republish all the books and re-educate all the people; in one generation, several hundred years worth of books would be unreadable.
The point is this: Despite the inconsistencies in English orthography and the sometimes wide disparity between spelling and pronunciation, the use of "standard" written forms remains a mark of literacy and education. And that allows a writer to achieve other goals, one being the smooth communication of ideas.
In the writing dodge, we are judged by our product, the symbols representing words, which we commit to paper.
Moral: Pronounce as you will, but hew to the spelling conventions.
SAY WHAT? -- "The murder victims were found with two bullets in each of their heads."
Language changes with time. What is agreed upon as a convenient and conventional way of recording speech with certain symbols may, in a few years, no longer accurately represent the way people speak. (Modern English orthography more nearly represents the pronunciation of Queen Elizabeth I than the current monarch.) Nevertheless, we retain the spelling system because it would be neither feasible nor practical to republish all the books and re-educate all the people; in one generation, several hundred years worth of books would be unreadable.
The point is this: Despite the inconsistencies in English orthography and the sometimes wide disparity between spelling and pronunciation, the use of "standard" written forms remains a mark of literacy and education. And that allows a writer to achieve other goals, one being the smooth communication of ideas.
In the writing dodge, we are judged by our product, the symbols representing words, which we commit to paper.
Moral: Pronounce as you will, but hew to the spelling conventions.
SAY WHAT? -- "The murder victims were found with two bullets in each of their heads."
Friday, February 10, 2012
Verb Clash
BANK SHOT -- "There is optimism that a new round of European talks are going to result in an announcement ..." according to a New York Times biz page story. Some would insist that the subject of that sentence is "round," which requires the singular "is." Others maintain that the verb should agree with the nearest noun; in this case "talks," and therefore the plural form is appropriate. And those of a linguistic bent would cite the entire "noun phrase" as the dominator. In addition, there is the matter of the singular article "a" as the decider in chief.
When in doubt, rephrase. Change the verb phrase "are going to result" to "will result" and everybody's happy, includig the Samurai Rim Man, who noted that using two words instead of four makes for better writing.
TUNING UP -- The terms "tuba" and "sousaphone" are not interchangeable. The big circular one that rests on the player's shoulder and has a forward-facing bell was named after bandmaster John Philip Sousa, who invented it because the traditional tuba was too hard to march with. (Yes, I just ended a sentence with a preposition. But as Churchill said, the ruling against it "is the sort of arrant pedantry up with which I will not put.")
GLEANINGS of an ITINERANT SPELLER -- "Predominatly." The verb is predominate, the noun predominant, and the adverb predominantly." Adverbs are often formed by adding -ly to a noun or adjective, and are used to modify verbs or other modifiers. No matter its intended use, "predominatly" is misspelled.
When in doubt, rephrase. Change the verb phrase "are going to result" to "will result" and everybody's happy, includig the Samurai Rim Man, who noted that using two words instead of four makes for better writing.
TUNING UP -- The terms "tuba" and "sousaphone" are not interchangeable. The big circular one that rests on the player's shoulder and has a forward-facing bell was named after bandmaster John Philip Sousa, who invented it because the traditional tuba was too hard to march with. (Yes, I just ended a sentence with a preposition. But as Churchill said, the ruling against it "is the sort of arrant pedantry up with which I will not put.")
GLEANINGS of an ITINERANT SPELLER -- "Predominatly." The verb is predominate, the noun predominant, and the adverb predominantly." Adverbs are often formed by adding -ly to a noun or adjective, and are used to modify verbs or other modifiers. No matter its intended use, "predominatly" is misspelled.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Thoughts
WORD ORIGINS -- Is a scintilla a small scint? Actually, no, but it does refer to something small. "Scintilla" is often used in a negative sense, as in "not a scintilla of evidence against my client," said the lawyer. The word derives from the Latin verb "to sparkle," and the noun form denotes a spark. A related word in English is "scintillating," as in "sparkling." This time out, however, it carries a positive connotation.
PRINTOUT -- Sarcasm is wasted on the young, destructive to the old, and useless against the self-righteous. Not only that, it's hard to do in print.
PRINTOUT -- Sarcasm is wasted on the young, destructive to the old, and useless against the self-righteous. Not only that, it's hard to do in print.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Spellcheck
USEFUL TOOLS -- As with any tool, the spellcheck function can be of great value. But it is not a preventive. It does not cure the problem of words that are spelled correctly, but wrongly used. Formally, in teacher jargon of years past, they were known as homophones, or soundalikes. Four examplar, these sentence have awl there words spelled nice, end Will past thee spellcheck. Whey? Because the computer has only a lexicon, or list of words to compare with the text. If each word is spelled correctly, the computer will tell you all is well. In short, the tool is only as good as the person using it.
By all means, please, run the spellcheck program. I do it after composing the text, so the machine can catch any typographical errors. As for programs that flag suspect errors as you type, they are distracting at best, and wrong at worst. Disable the autocheck so you can focus on the writing. And while you're at it, disable the grammar check as well. It's not worth the memory space it takes up.
CONFOUND COMPOUNDS -- There is a difference between compound modifiers and multiple adjectives. Compound modifiers may need a hyphen to clarify which word modifies what. Example: A newspaper used to be called the New-York Times (as if people might confuse it with the old York Times). But an apple can be a big apple, a big red apple, or even a big red round ripe Gala apple, or with as many more descriptive adjectives you can think of to put in front of the noun. And even with some compound modifiers, a hyphen may not be needed. Example: A small business owner. It's clear that the reference is to a small business, not a small owner. Unless it is a Munchkin-owned business.
By all means, please, run the spellcheck program. I do it after composing the text, so the machine can catch any typographical errors. As for programs that flag suspect errors as you type, they are distracting at best, and wrong at worst. Disable the autocheck so you can focus on the writing. And while you're at it, disable the grammar check as well. It's not worth the memory space it takes up.
CONFOUND COMPOUNDS -- There is a difference between compound modifiers and multiple adjectives. Compound modifiers may need a hyphen to clarify which word modifies what. Example: A newspaper used to be called the New-York Times (as if people might confuse it with the old York Times). But an apple can be a big apple, a big red apple, or even a big red round ripe Gala apple, or with as many more descriptive adjectives you can think of to put in front of the noun. And even with some compound modifiers, a hyphen may not be needed. Example: A small business owner. It's clear that the reference is to a small business, not a small owner. Unless it is a Munchkin-owned business.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Rim Shots
WHODUNNIT -- On the Dateline ID program, the presenter spoke of a woman "mysteriously found dead." The mystery is not that she was found, or even how. The mystery is the cause of death, and who was the prepetrator.
FUN, FUNNER, FUNNEST -- Years ago, the way to intensify the amount of enjoyment was to use a separate modifying word in front: Fun, more fun, most fun. However, younger folks have opted to use the alternate intensifying forms, such as are found in terms like "funny, funnier, funniest; new, newer, newest; old, older, oldest; young, younger, youngest." Formally, the structures are known as comparative and superlative forms. Both ways of intensifying are valid, since they follow a rule.
Grammarians come in two types, prescriptive and descriptive. Both gather the rules that govern the use of a language, but the former insist that rules are what one must follow, while the latter simply describe what people do, not what they must do.
Some forms are acceptable in a given dialect, while others are not; but a form which is not acceptable for some speakers may be considered proper usage among others. In short, even in the more prestige dialects, the rules are applied in patchy, inconsistent ways.
Good writers follow the rules that are standard for their readers.
CLARITY -- Last time out, ER cited Chris Christie supporters for praising the Governor's balanced budget in the state for two years running. The New Jersey Constitution says, "The Legislature shall not, in any manner, create in any fiscal year a debt or debts, liability or liabilities of the State ..." So whether the Governor or the Legislature prepares the budget, there is a constitutional mandate that it be balanced. Memo to politicians and their supporters: Eschew obfuscation.
ADVERBIALLY SPEAKING -- Question: Is it "more important," or "more importantly"? One thing may be more important than another, but more importantly, we should know the difference. One is a descriptor, the other is an adverb.
AND BY THE WAY -- (-ly) adverbs never take a hyphen. Examples: newly elected, recently enacted, early morning dew. Hyphens should be used sparingly, and only to eliminate confusion as to which word modifies what. If no chance of confusion, lose the hyphen.
FUN, FUNNER, FUNNEST -- Years ago, the way to intensify the amount of enjoyment was to use a separate modifying word in front: Fun, more fun, most fun. However, younger folks have opted to use the alternate intensifying forms, such as are found in terms like "funny, funnier, funniest; new, newer, newest; old, older, oldest; young, younger, youngest." Formally, the structures are known as comparative and superlative forms. Both ways of intensifying are valid, since they follow a rule.
Grammarians come in two types, prescriptive and descriptive. Both gather the rules that govern the use of a language, but the former insist that rules are what one must follow, while the latter simply describe what people do, not what they must do.
Some forms are acceptable in a given dialect, while others are not; but a form which is not acceptable for some speakers may be considered proper usage among others. In short, even in the more prestige dialects, the rules are applied in patchy, inconsistent ways.
Good writers follow the rules that are standard for their readers.
CLARITY -- Last time out, ER cited Chris Christie supporters for praising the Governor's balanced budget in the state for two years running. The New Jersey Constitution says, "The Legislature shall not, in any manner, create in any fiscal year a debt or debts, liability or liabilities of the State ..." So whether the Governor or the Legislature prepares the budget, there is a constitutional mandate that it be balanced. Memo to politicians and their supporters: Eschew obfuscation.
ADVERBIALLY SPEAKING -- Question: Is it "more important," or "more importantly"? One thing may be more important than another, but more importantly, we should know the difference. One is a descriptor, the other is an adverb.
AND BY THE WAY -- (-ly) adverbs never take a hyphen. Examples: newly elected, recently enacted, early morning dew. Hyphens should be used sparingly, and only to eliminate confusion as to which word modifies what. If no chance of confusion, lose the hyphen.
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