Maybe it’s just because I’m an Australian of A Certain Age, but I find this sign in an African grocery shop on Enmore Road rather funny. The fact that it’s “organic” is even better.
Word of the Year 2007: category “online”
Time to look at the Macquarie Dictionary‘s nominations for Word of the Year and decide how to vote. Since we’re online, we’ll start with the category online…
I’m disappointed with the choices. The criterion is “the most valuable contribution to the English language in 2007.” All of these words pre-date 2007, and in this category the Macquarie faces its strongest criticism for being slow to add new data.
Electronica Challenge
Hey here’s a challenge! Macquarie Dictionary reckons the word “electronica” is from 2007. I reckon it’s older. So we have to find 3 independent usages in mainstream media.
Here’s what they say:
electronica noun the broad array of music created electronically.
If we want to improve the reference, we have to prove it. Send info!
Word of the Year 2007: voting open
The truly god-like people at Macquarie Dictionary have opened voting for the Word of the Year 2007 (“the most valuable contribution to the English language”) in various categories. Voting closes at midnight on 31 January.
In the “online” category you can choose from:
cyber cheating noun 1. plagiarism of material sourced on the internet. 2. engagement in an online romance, the conduct of which constitutes unfaithfulness to one’s spouse or lover. flog noun a blog which is contrived for marketing purposes. [f(ake) + (b)log] griefing noun the sabotage of online computer games, virtual sites, etc., by players intent on causing havoc rather than abiding by the rules of the game. –griefer, noun microblog noun 1. an internet posting which is extremely short, designed to give a brief but immediate text update. –verb (i) (microblogged, microblogging) 2. to issue such an internet posting. –microblogging, noun –microblogger, noun web 2.0 noun a perceived altered state of the world wide web, equivalent to a second generation of a software product, which features social networks, creative commons, wikis and other such sites that encourage user input and information sharing.
My immediate reaction is that some of the terms are perhaps older than 2007. However Macquarie Dictionary is a mainstream dictionary of Australian English.
- Mainstream means that the words have to be used in mainstream publications and broadcasts such as daily newspapers and TV news bulletins without further explanation. Three independent usages are needed before a word will be listed.
- Australian English means those citations have to be in Australian media (obviously).
So my innate geekery means I’m probably ahead of the pace when it comes to adopting new words.
In any event, I’ll go through their lists and post more considered thoughts before I cast my votes. I’m happy to take side-wagers on the eventual winners.
Writing to be heard
My old photographer mate Jay has noticed that I write in “spoken English”.
Stil, you write as you sound, or you sound as you write. Every paragraph has the voice of radio.
Yes, Jay, you’re right. And it’s deliberate. I write so that my words can be read aloud and “sound good”.
I don’t know whether there’s any evidence to back it up, but my theory is that when people read the speech centres of their brain are also active. If so, then I reckon the communication will be more effective, more memorable, if it triggers the natural rhythms of good speech.
When I’m writing, I’m usually sounding out the words in my head. When it comes to the final draft. I usually read it aloud — several times as I polish it.
And to make sure I get the “tone” right, I sometimes use a trick that Keith Conlon taught me. I imagine a specific person sitting across the desk from me. It all helps to write in a more natural style, as one human talking with another.
Bring back real government communication, I say!
I’m sick of the dull, bureaucratic PR-speak that most politicians use. I’d like to see Chairman Rudd use some direct, more colourful language — not just mentioning Iced VoVos from time to time.
I’m currently reading Iron Kingdom: the rise and downfall of Prussia 1600-1947. There’s some fine examples of what I mean in these marginal notes written by King Frederick William I in government papers from the 1730s (p.78):
- Responding to a proposal that von Holtzendorf be sent to Denmark (presumably as an ambassador): “To gallows with Hotzedorff [sic] how dare you sujest me this rogue but as he’s a curr he’s good enough for the gallows go tell hym that.”
- Noting a report from Kuhlwein: “Kuhlwein is an idiott he can kis my arss.”
Now how should Kevin Rudd respond to some of the questions being asked of him in the media this week?