Subject: Re: The First of a Series of Grammatical Corrections...
From: Jim Rovira (jrovira@drew.edu)
Date: Thu Feb 07 2002 - 13:16:28 GMT
I beg to differ on a couple points. First, the OED is unrivaled as a
dictionary and is really the only one used for academic purposes. Next, I
hardly think an ellipsis is Always correct for every omission. I suspect
this depends on what style guide you're using. If you wanted to follow MLA
style, 5th ed., your ellipsis would have to be in brackets, to begin with,
if it was not an omission in the original quote (therefore: [. . .]). I'm
pretty confident current MLA style doesn't require it to be used at the
beginning and end of quotations, either, but haven't looked this up
recently and don't feel like it now :).
However, if you're still using outdated sources such as Fowler's and Strunk
and White, no wonder you're mistaken about this :).
I otherwise agree, especially with your comments about Matt. K. :)
Jim
Cecilia Baader wrote:
>
> --- Matt Kozusko <mkozusko@parallel.park.uga.edu> wrote:
> >
> > Fie, Cecilia, fie. Common usage is for commoners. And descriptive
> > grammar is for hippies--and communists. It's a deferal of agency;
> > it erases blame and accountability, both for the learning writer and the
> > grammarian.
>
> Were I responding to anyone but you, Matt K., whom I adore, I might make
> the observation that a grammarian who insists on using "fie" in a sentence
> has no business speaking of common usage, since he's abandoned all
> pretense of it long ago.
>
> But soft, what light through yonder inbox breaks? It is the east, and
> Matt K. is the sun.
>
> (Just trying to make you feel more at home so you'll come back, dearest.)
>
> It occurs to me that I should take this opportunity to answer old Jim's
> criticisms. First, dictionary snobbery is no defense, as your dictionary,
> grand though it may be, is unequal to mine in at least one respect: the
> noun quote.
>
> > P.S. "Evil" in "Evil Matt. K." should probably not have been
> > capitalized unless it's a recognized title or name for Mr. K.
>
> Oh, but that's precisely what it is. I thought you would have recognized
> that "Evil Matt K." has long been his title, if only among use common
> usage folk.
>
> > P.P.S. I don't think you need to include an ellipsis at the beginning of
> > a quotation, as you did in the following: "... a passage referred to,
> > repeated, or adduced."
>
> An ellipsis is always appropriate when picking up in the middle of a
> quotation, as I did. The definition was far longer and I grabbed only
> that which applied.
>
> > P.P.P.S. Furthermore, the ellipsis is typed by including a space between
> > each period. So, an ellipsis is not "...", but ". . .".
>
> You've got me there. I can only claim the Microsoft Word excuse, since it
> corrects me automatically every time I type it properly. I'll admit it,
> I've bowed to the Man.
>
> So. Next thing you know, somebody around here is going to stand up and
> shout "Digression!" but I have one last response to lower-case will, who
> said:
>
> > Huffing and puffing about bad English won't blow my house down.
> > Staying attuned to language and its wonders is where the fun is, will--
>
> To that, I must say it's beginning to feel like the old days around here.
> Thanks, will, for being you.
>
> I'm just feeling so damned FOND of everybody this morning. (She says,
> with a startling burst of candor.)
>
> Regards,
> Cecilia.
>
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