Language revisited
Whenever I write about language -- and I don't write about it much because, as I say, I'm no language maven -- it's always a popular one with readers. Primarily, judging by the feedback, because they can lord their language superiority over me.
Uncle! (Actually, they're pretty nice about it.)
A sampling:
I applauded everything said there, but most of all the intent. Usage matters. Communication requires precision in thought and accuracy in words. Bravo!
Then I turned to the "Old Pine" story on A1, continued on A6 -- and wondered if I was reading the same newspaper. The cutline for Joseph Rodriguez's photo of the old tree reads, "Longleaf pines are only found in North America." I have noted that a similar improper placement of the word "only" numerous times in the News & Record.
I was instantly reminded of my 1948 experience with the college freshman textbook Learning to Write in College, Page 201 with revelations about the placement of the word "only:" Only he lost his hat (nobody else did). He only lost his hat (nobody stole it). He lost only his hat (and nobody else's). He lost his only hat (he never had but one). He lost his hat only (but saved his shoes and clothes).
So I was left with some uncertainty as to how longleaf pines are only found -- did somebody steal them? Upon reflection, I decided the writer meant to say that longleaf pines are found ONLY in North America.
Can you send a message back to the newsroom that friends don't let friends use poor grammar? Thanks.
I'm impressed that he reads my column before the front page stories.
Hi, I read this with a smile, as sometime back I recall writing and asking about the paper's use of grammar and it was then I learned the press has a different "book" than we.
But I couldn't help but smile again, as had just read in section A about someone buying a $3 Million truffle and on page 1 of section B there was a discussion of the delicasies: (oops on spelling) triffles; but spelled truffles. Have to admit I always mix those up myself and I may have misspelled, but just woke up to a furnace turned too high and this thought came to me.
Actually, there were truffles.
One of my college professors addressed this very issue once in a communications class. A student was pointing out the spelling errors and the misuse of words and phrases made by another student. The professor asked the student to explain what she read. The student talked about the story as if she had written it herself. The professor told the student that the author may have made mistakes, but no matter because a message was communicated and understood. He was trying to get us to concentrate on getting our message down while the creative juices were flowing and not worry about those things that can be corrected later.
Comments (1)
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Hello Mr. Robinson,
I had to laugh several times when reading this Sunday article about grammar. I've been writing press releases for 5 years now, and every employer I've had wants me to capitalize a title after the name (Mr. Joe Smith, Senior Widget Maker). AP Style, as you mentioned when referring to the president, maintains that you should only capitalize a title when it comes before a name.
Now and then, my employer will insist it be capitalized. I tell them that if I cap and the newspaper wants to run the release, the "crackerjack copy editors" will end up fixing it. Why not make life a tiny bit easier for them?
Anyway, I just wanted to tell you I enjoyed your article. I ain't lying, and you can quote me on that.
Posted on December 10, 2007 4:06 PM