Why Good Language Matters
Tuesday, 31 May 2016
Illiterate - or Just Bad Style?
I'm going to be harsh here, but in the context of a World Heritage City CityX, I think bad style is as bad as illiteracy.
So, what's wrong with the slogan "Making CityX an even better place to live, work and visit"?
At first sight, not much wrong, but it doesn't feel right. The problem is that in the context of the slogan the verbs "to live" and "to work" are intransitive but "to visit" is transitive and is therefore a different part of speech. Gathering them all together following "to" to form their infinitives suggests that they are syntactically equivalent.
"Hang on," you might say, "I don't see the difference". But whereas you would say "I visit CityX", you wouldn't say "I work CityX", nor would you say "I live CityX". You could say correctly, "I live (or work) in CityX", treating the verbs as intransitive. And, using those verbs transitively, you can work a piece of metal and live a life. But the transitive meanings can't be applied to a place.
How could this be remedied? One way would be to change the slogan to "Making CityX an even better place to live in, work in and visit". But it's not so snappy now, and looks (unsurprisingly) pedantic.
So, should we recommend the pedantic version, ask for a new slogan, or let matters lie, despite a pedant's discomfiture?
So, what's wrong with the slogan "Making CityX an even better place to live, work and visit"?
At first sight, not much wrong, but it doesn't feel right. The problem is that in the context of the slogan the verbs "to live" and "to work" are intransitive but "to visit" is transitive and is therefore a different part of speech. Gathering them all together following "to" to form their infinitives suggests that they are syntactically equivalent.
"Hang on," you might say, "I don't see the difference". But whereas you would say "I visit CityX", you wouldn't say "I work CityX", nor would you say "I live CityX". You could say correctly, "I live (or work) in CityX", treating the verbs as intransitive. And, using those verbs transitively, you can work a piece of metal and live a life. But the transitive meanings can't be applied to a place.
How could this be remedied? One way would be to change the slogan to "Making CityX an even better place to live in, work in and visit". But it's not so snappy now, and looks (unsurprisingly) pedantic.
So, should we recommend the pedantic version, ask for a new slogan, or let matters lie, despite a pedant's discomfiture?
Monday, 18 April 2016
Why Good Language Matters
I love the English language especially when it is used well. I welcome its enrichment by new words and phrases adopted from other languages and from the culture of the day, but I deplore its debasement by misuse and abuse.
We are surrounded by written and spoken English. If people are to communicate effectively they should not be faced with poor language sometimes used by teachers and broadcasters and often seen in books, newspapers and public signs.
This is important. The strength of language is diminished by misuse and communication becomes imprecise and misleading. This wastes time! Statements and questions have to be clarified, and words can be wasted.
Everyday good writing does not require a literary style or fancy words. It should be precise, brief and clear to everyone. The language should be down-to-earth. Communication is everything.
Artistic writing is, of course, a different matter and can be expected to entertain, amuse or otherwise please the reader. I'm not a poet or a literary author and do not wish to comment on artistic style.
We are surrounded by written and spoken English. If people are to communicate effectively they should not be faced with poor language sometimes used by teachers and broadcasters and often seen in books, newspapers and public signs.
This is important. The strength of language is diminished by misuse and communication becomes imprecise and misleading. This wastes time! Statements and questions have to be clarified, and words can be wasted.
Everyday good writing does not require a literary style or fancy words. It should be precise, brief and clear to everyone. The language should be down-to-earth. Communication is everything.
Artistic writing is, of course, a different matter and can be expected to entertain, amuse or otherwise please the reader. I'm not a poet or a literary author and do not wish to comment on artistic style.
Self Abuse
The words myself and yourself are increasingly being abused -- or at least misused.
Broadcasters and journalists are frequently using myself when they mean me or I. Myself should be used when there is a reflexive meaning or emphasis is intended. Using myself unnecessarily weakens its meaning. Its only merit is that it spares the writer from the need to decide whether I or me is correct.
As for yourself, this, in conjunction with myself, can lead to some silly consequences. All too many business letters end with sentences such as
"We have prepared this quotation for yourself. Please do not hesitate to contact myself if you have any questions."
Two impossibilities in so few words! What is wrong with you and me?
Broadcasters and journalists are frequently using myself when they mean me or I. Myself should be used when there is a reflexive meaning or emphasis is intended. Using myself unnecessarily weakens its meaning. Its only merit is that it spares the writer from the need to decide whether I or me is correct.
As for yourself, this, in conjunction with myself, can lead to some silly consequences. All too many business letters end with sentences such as
"We have prepared this quotation for yourself. Please do not hesitate to contact myself if you have any questions."
Two impossibilities in so few words! What is wrong with you and me?
Sunday, 17 April 2016
Silly Meanings
I have become obsessed with writing errors that give rise to silly meanings.
A common error is misplacement of the word only.
Two examples seen in a bus station:
"Passengers may only alight or board at designated bus stops."
Meaning: "Alighting and boarding are the only actions permitted at designated bus stops. Other actions or remaining in your seat are not allowed. At other bus stops you can do what you like."
Intended meaning: "Passengers may alight or board only at designated bus stops."
"Automatic doors will only open when the bus is on the stand"
Meaning: "When the bus is on the stand the doors must open and cannot close."
Intended meaning: "Doors will open only when the bus is on the stand". No emphasis is needed.
Writers should place adverbs immediately before the words they qualify. However, if possible they should avoid splitting an infinitive and place them before the word "to".
A common error is misplacement of the word only.
Two examples seen in a bus station:
"Passengers may only alight or board at designated bus stops."
Meaning: "Alighting and boarding are the only actions permitted at designated bus stops. Other actions or remaining in your seat are not allowed. At other bus stops you can do what you like."
Intended meaning: "Passengers may alight or board only at designated bus stops."
"Automatic doors will only open when the bus is on the stand"
Meaning: "When the bus is on the stand the doors must open and cannot close."
Intended meaning: "Doors will open only when the bus is on the stand". No emphasis is needed.
Writers should place adverbs immediately before the words they qualify. However, if possible they should avoid splitting an infinitive and place them before the word "to".
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