semantics
Scribbled down on November 24th, 2006 by she
Posted in Frothing At The Bit, Reading Begets Enlightenment
I wasn’t really a big fan of the show at first, but the hubby has successfully managed to get me hooked on Bones. I knew the series was based on the books authored by Kathy Reichs.
As much as I love to read, sometimes I really need a good push to pick up a crime/mystery novel. A while back I was at Zellers and they had a few of Ms. Reichs books on sale for $4.99. Needing something to read, I bought them. Since I knew the TV series was based on a character from the book I figured I might enjoy the books too.
For those that don’t know, the Temperance Brennen of TV is quite different from the Temperance Brennen of the written world. I quite like both characters – when I can stop comparing them…
What I can’t stand in the books is the occasional reference to Quebec Province. I’ve also come across the phrase while surfing blogs and each time I read it my body reacts as if I am hearing someone dragging their fingernails down a chalkboard. Reading or hearing Quebec Province is just wrong in my world.
I have never in my life called any Canadian province or territory “XX Province”. I don’t know a single Canadian who does. Sure, we often just say the name of the province – Quebec, Ontario, Alberta – or will say “the province of Quebec”.
Another word that’s driving me bonkers recently is the continual use of pleaded in the news media (print and TV) when referring to justice issues. I don’t know when this trend started but I can’t stand hearing or reading its use in reference to entering a plea in court. In my world, it’s pled guilty. Sure, according to dictionary.com both forms are technically correct but that doesn’t mean that they both fit the proper flow of language – especially the spoken word.
Say the following sentences out loud (you know you want to) to get a better sense of what I mean:
- He pled not guilty on the charge of armed robbery.
- He pleaded not guilty on the charge of armed robbery.
Since pled sounds so much better than pleaded I just can’t figure out why the talking heads on TV news insist on using this phrasing. I’ve heard the phrase come out of the mouths of the newscasters at CTV, Global and CBC. I’ve seen it written in community papers, online news sites, and the local papers (Sun and Journal). Please; someone stop this madness!
For the sake of all that’s holy and for my sanity, I’m begging the local newscasters to change their phrasing. Keep the use of pleaded to a minimum and use it in the following manner: “He pleaded with the judge for leniency” rather than to describe the plea entered at trial.
Wrap Up
- Quebec province = bad
- province of Quebec = good
- pleaded = bad
- pled = good
Technorati Tags: semantics, language, word choice, Canadian province names, bones, Kathy Reichs
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November 24th, 2006 at 3:05 pm
I blame it on the proliferation of laziness in regards to learning the proper terms to use.
Thank oyu for sharing..
November 24th, 2006 at 3:19 pm
I haven’t seen “bones”, although I would really like to. I’ve read some of the books, and thought they were great, even though crime/mysteries aren’t really my thing, either. And I totaly agree with you on your good and bad list:)
November 24th, 2006 at 6:41 pm
I had a running argument with a writer regarding the usage of ‘half mast’ vs ‘half staff’. He couldn’t get it that most of the time we aren’t on a sailing vessel so ‘half staff’ was more appropriate. I couldn’t convince him that the newscasters have the enviable position of enlightening the populous as to the proper use of the language and that the writers had a responsibility to ensure that it was accomplished. For about a week Global News used ‘half staff’ then reverted back to ‘half mast’.
It also makes me cringe to hear people say ‘I seen..’. Another is the infamous ‘unthaw’. Most of them won’t even change when it is brought to their attention that they are doing it wrong. I agree with Bond. People are just incredibly lazy.
November 26th, 2006 at 4:39 am
My mother and I have been hooked on Bones for the past couple of months. I didn’t know it was a book. I just find the show really interesting.
Anyway, it’s really ironic that most journalists do not know proper diction. I know what you mean – sometimes words have to used in a certain context so the correct meaning would get across.
November 27th, 2006 at 7:55 pm
And aren’t you tired of the ‘free gift’? I could go on and on.