Hello, All--
A million thanks to Sherry for her expertise in planning and execution--and
to Marshall for marshalling us--both so successfully for those two grand
days and one evening. I'm delighted to have met other attendees and to have
heard all presentations. Your descriptors fit me, for sure, Sherry:
energized and excited.
Linda's point--that two features of McConnell's delivery in the sample
statement (pauses and intonation)--suggests, perhaps, that we need to attend
to the oral components of lanuage in discussions with our students as well
as ensuring that they're informed of grammatical principles and constructs.
It's unlikely that an aide or anyone else will draw the gaff to McConnell's
attention.
Regards,
Gay
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sharon Saylors" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, August 01, 2011 2:52 PM
Subject: Re: Mitch Mcconnell's grammatical ambiguity
> Dear fellow language enthusiasts,
> Thanks for your kind words, Linda. I too feel enriched by two days of
> stimulating discussions about our favorite subject. Forty-five of us
> from all over the country came together to share methods of teaching
> grammar from the kindergarten level, to middle school, to college. We
> have returned to our homes energized and excited.
> I agree with your interpretation,Linda. Sometimes people say
> exactly what they do not intend to say. This is prime evidence that
> grammar study is essential, and that those pauses make a critical
> difference.
> Sherry Saylors
>>>> [log in to unmask] 08/01/11 12:13 PM >>>
> Dear fellow language enthusiasts:
>
> First, thanks to Sherry Saylors and PGCC for hosting a great ATEG
> conference this past weekend!
> We had a fabulous time. And thanks to Martha Kolln and Pam Dykstra for
> inspiring keynotes, and to all of our presenters for interesting and
> intellectually provocative presentations!
>
> And ATEG must have put me in the mood: I cannot believe that the major
> news stations keep playing Mitch McConnell's ridiculously ambiguous
> statement over and over:
>
> What he meant: "The United States will not for the first time in history
> default on its debt."
> What he said: "The United States will not-- for the first time in
> history-- default on its debt."
>
> The preferred reading of this statement is, of course, that the US has
> always defaulted on its debt, but will not do so this time, for the
> first time. Does anyone disagree with this? And to hear McConnell say it
> only brings this interpretation home.
>
> The secondary interpretation might be what McConnell intended: That we
> have, in fact, avoided this first-time event that has never happened.
> But given his pauses and the fact that his intonation seems to rise when
> it should fall, his statement really signals the first interpretation.
>
>
> This would be a good opener for a linguistics or grammar class today...
>
> Linda
>
> ________________________________________
> Linda Di Desidero, Ph.D.
> Director, Communication Studies & Professional Writing
> University of Maryland University College
> School of Undergraduate Studies
> 3501 University Boulevard East
> Adelphi, MD 20783-8083
>
> College English Association
> http://cea.stevensonuniversity.org/
>
> Maryland Communication Association
> http://www.marylandcomm.org/
>
> (240) 684-2830 (Department)
> (240) 684-2928 (Office)
> (240) 684-2995 (Fax)
>
>
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