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piroska.mihalka's avatar

These subtitles you point out in the vocabulary we use are similar to the finesse of lighting in photography. These observations are like a whitecap on the calm sea, that you point out to us. Thank you again, Matt.

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Matt Inwood's avatar

That's a lovely thing to read. Thank you, Piroska.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Interesting, Matt. Thank you. Now can you enlighten me on why a clause beginning with "because" is often shortened these days? It bugs me. eg. He is crying because sad. She can't go because money. They all drank too much because stupid. Rather than: He is crying because he is sad. She can't go because she has no money. They all drank too much because they are stupid. Have you noticed this usage? Is it because of texting?

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Matt Inwood's avatar

Yes, I see that a lot too. Texting has no doubt played its part, but its a shorthand erosion that's been going on for years, I guess. You could go back much further to the American usage of the word write. 'I'll write them soon' would almost never have been written or spoken here in the UK, and I doubt there are many Americans that would phrase that sentence as, 'I'll write to them soon.' without feeling it was just as wrong. The language develops and I think American English is less stuffy and formal. I guess the speed and efficiency with which we now communicate will make our antiquated hold on the grammar and syntax of the past seem incredibly old-fashioned over the coming decade or two. Perhaps all the more reason to hold tightly to it and preserve what we can.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks for taking the time to respond, Matt. I know language changes over time (otherwise we would all still be talking like Chaucer!) but changes are just so much more rapid these days. ( Less is more? Tell Sir Walter Scott...) Much of language change is now due to messaging/texting, and we old ones have to learn to let go more rapidly. I was an English teacher, but I am very good at letting go. Just don't get me started on 'lie and lay'. It is such an elegant distinction, but apparently the verb 'lie" is meeting its demise...

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Matt Inwood's avatar

Here’s to stubbornly lying for many years to come together, Sharron!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Although it has been an alarming number of years since anyone has proposed my lying together with them, it’s a deal, friend. And when you begin to cave under common usage pressure, I will be sure to remind you.

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