this is mikel.org

Michael Boyle's weblog

  • home
  • archives
  • about
  • words

I’ve been neglecting to say something

January 25, 2003 by Michael Boyle

I’ve been neglecting to say something

else for ages, out of a fear that it would be misinterpreted. But today seems like the day. First off, I strongly recommend that anyone who speaks French, well or poorly, should go and visit Les coups de langue de la grande rousse. At the same time, I must admit that I find the concept implicit in Dolores’ site simultaneously funny and frustrating. The site is based on the idea that there is one correct word for everything, and a proper way to use that word in practice.

The very idea that there could be one correct English is incomprehensible to many, if not most, who are proficient in the language. And the idea of forming – and listening to – a body who would make such decisions? It could never happen.

The frustrating part is that attached to the idea that there is a single correct French is the idea that language determines culture, which is, I believe, precisely backwards.

Tags: French, Language, Montreal

search

recent

  • Diouf Article
  • Anil Dash: We’re not being alarmist enough about climate change…
  • Learning about Gutenberg
  • From the “I thought I’d heard it all” file
  • One year since his passing: The Day Prince’s Guitar Wept the Loudest

Archives

Friend Canadian Politics Search Google Personal International Affairs US Politics Copyfight Social Networks Sports NYTimes GNE Design Software War Canada Browser Business Blogging Music Microsoft Test Arts Media Wired Web Funny Internet Apple Email Montreal Web Design
Michael Boyle Blog
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2000–2023 · Michael Boyle

Copyright © 2023 · Modern Portfolio Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in