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Carey
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 1281
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 13, 2008 - 02:41 pm: | 
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Hello All
A few months ago I posted a question asking "why do we write". The board replied with several thought provoking and passionate responses.
Some called it egoism others said it was born from a need to express themself. I posted a followup question "would you still write if there was no one to read it", that question ushered pause.
I've traveled around the Internet and have read the works of several commentators, this board not excluded. I also love listening to great speakers, they all have something in common and I am questioning what that is!
My title to this post is "Sesquipedalian vs Pragmatist" which might suggest that a linguist can not be a pragmatist because the word implies bits of circumlocution, which leads me to the following questions. But first, Malcolm X was a great orator and I can assume an etymologist as well. Yet, if one reads his speeches they might find that they are not filled with verbose verbiage.
Is egoism not at the root of much of our writings? When does the message become stuffed with words? When should a utilitarian view yield to a structuralist.
Does it all boil down to the audience? Some like it hot, some like it raw and others like what others have.
Again, as I surf the web and listen to commentary, I've read rants, debates and many periphrastic views. I am forever wondering why we write and is it really...REALLY about the ego.
When does the message trump the structure? Maybe a bigger question is...who decides.
Carey
Carey |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 12944
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 13, 2008 - 05:34 pm: |
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Redundancy is the enemy of all writers. Uncluttered conciseness, however, is a boon to both the reader and the writer. Clarity of ideas and well-structured sentences trump multi-syllable words every time.
Nevertheless, a gifted writer can exemplify both substance and style. But a self-conscious writer spouting obscure words in an attempt to sound intellectual and literate becomes very transparent. A talented competent writer or speaker is someone who knows how to establish rapport with the reader or listener by demonstrating the effective use language
And, to me, it is not about big words, per se. It's about choosing a word that precisely and correctly captures the meaning you want to convey. If it takes an uncommon word to do this, then so be it. Such words can, after all, educate those who don't know their meaning. And a writer should never feel the need to "dumb down" what they say. IMO.
Why do I write?? Because I am inspired by my Muse to do so. Does it matter whether what I write is read? Only if I publish it. |
Carey
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 1284
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 13, 2008 - 05:56 pm: |
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Cynique, points well taken, and your eagle eye illustrated a hidden message.
I will add that although I agree with your statement that "clarity of ideas and well-structured sentences trumps multi-syllable words every time", I think clarity of ideas is the father of all.
I bet we can research the best speeches and they would be absent of words or phrases not used by most.
So, again, I think the ego plays a huge part in what we write or say. Hey, that's what you said months ago. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 12948
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 13, 2008 - 11:10 pm: |
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A person who keeps a journal as a form of "therapy" or just as an outlet for their innermost thoughts would not strike me as being an egotist.
I did previously express the opinion that anyone who writes a novel with the intent of it being published is ego-driven because such an individual thinks the world is waiting to read what they have written. I might add that being egotistical is not a crime. Nothing drastically wrong with having a lot of self-confidence! |
Carey
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 1286
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 - 01:20 am: |
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Yeah Cynique, being egotistical is not a crime but it might be time to..... |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 12953
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 - 11:25 am: |
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Time to what??? Be specific. Be assertive. |
Carey
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 1289
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 - 05:50 pm: |
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Be assertive  .
Well, at the time I posted I was questioning "my" need to post, hence..... |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 3449
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 - 09:00 pm: |
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 .............. |
Carey
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 1292
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 - 09:46 pm: |
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Okay Ntsf,
Would you like to explain your "friend"?
What are you on today...is there something you'd like to say?
You must have a picture of me above your bed. What is it with you? |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 12956
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 - 11:38 am: |
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Isn't a laughing glyph self-explanatory??? |
Carey
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 1293
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 - 02:44 pm: |
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A laughing glyph, is that what that is? I smell it but I don't feel it. You know what I am talking about...right? I smell a ...
But that's a good thang. If they like it I love it.
If that's how someone chooses to express themself, I ain't mad at'em.
Self-discovery is a shaky road for many. So I can assume they wish to stay in their comfort zone. |
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