[lit-ideas] Re: "Jesus" is coming
- From: Julie Krueger <juliereneb@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2010 12:37:48 -0500
Sure -- how about these:
'Four dead' in NY state
shootin<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-10974807>
g
Cattle 'cloned from dead
animals'<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-10951108>
Autumn 'delayed by cold winter' <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10925016>
Julie Krueger
On Sat, Aug 14, 2010 at 11:54 AM, Judith Evans <
judithevans001@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> some of the bbc sub-editors are sloppy, but do you have examples?
>
> Judy Evans, Cardiff
>
> --- On *Sat, 14/8/10, Julie Krueger <juliereneb@xxxxxxxxx>* wrote:
>
>
> From: Julie Krueger <juliereneb@xxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: "Jesus" is coming
> To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Date: Saturday, 14 August, 2010, 17:12
>
>
> I am continually perplexed by BBC's use of quotation marks in their on-line
> news headlines ... is this something peculiarly British that I don't
> understand?
>
> Julie Krueger
>
>
>
>
> On Sat, Aug 14, 2010 at 9:57 AM,
> <Jlsperanza@xxxxxxx<http://mc/compose?to=Jlsperanza@xxxxxxx>
> > wrote:
>
> From online source:
>
> "You've seen them on billboards, church marquees, and bathroom stalls: a
> pair of renegade quotation marks that ultimately results in an unfortunate,
> unintentional innuendo. You might think that a book comprised solely of
> photos of publicly displayed punctuation gaffes, accompanied by witty
> commentary, might get old after awhile. Well, you would be wrong.
>
> The *Book of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks*, based on the popular blog
> created by Bethany Keeley, features reader-contributed photos of these
> superfluous punctuation faux pas. The book's organized into categories like
> "At Work," "Social Graces," and "In the Bathroom," and Keeley provides funny
> commentary without being overly snarky. Even though the book repeats a
> different shade of the same joke over and over, the variations manage to
> seem wholly original when applied to different contexts. What
> self-respecting consumer of words could help from giggling after seeing a
> billboard that reads:
>
> "Jesus" is Coming
>
>
>
> Or, what about a customer feedback box from a national restaurant chain
> (I'm looking at you, Taco Bell) with a sign proclaiming:
>
> "We Care." Please Let Us Know How You Feel
>
>
>
> English is complex -- so what's the big deal if these avant-garde painters
> of language take the laws of grammar into their own hands and use the
> world's billboards, Post-it Notes, and sandwich boards as their canvases?
>
> This is the big deal: Rules are rules, folks. Just like stop signs, speed
> limits, and laws that prohibit you from marrying your cousins, the
> regulations placed on the use of punctuation were created to benefit society
> as a whole. They exist so you don't unwittingly make fun of your own
> products, accidentally give the impression you're not being honest, or
> unintentionally dispute the existence of "the Lord." (See what I did there?)
>
>
> Some might argue that only privileged people with soft hands have the time
> or energy to poke fun at the misuse of punctuation. Perhaps these bold folks
> going hog-wild with the quotation marks simply have more pressing things to
> worry about. Maybe so. They're trying to get people to buy their "soup,"
> attend their "church," or simply just "flush" the toilet. They want emphasis
> and don't care how they go about achieving it.
>
> Sorry, you syntax rebels, I'm taking the hardliner approach. We've got
> punctuation for a reason, and it's to fine-tune the sentiment behind our
> communication. Anyone with the wherewithal to own a business, buy billboard
> space, or design a product label should know better. Or use a proofreader.
> Google it. Something! If you break the rules, prepare to pay the price.
> (Which is being publicly shamed in this book.)
>
> With that said, Keeley is fairly gentle. She focuses more energy poking fun
> at the absurdity of the unintended implications and less calling out the
> language skills of the perpetrators. Read it and chuckle with a good
> conscience, and think: Oh, that zany language of ours. Always up to
> "something. ""
>
> Speranza -- Bordighera
>
>
>
>
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