LISTSERV - ATEG Archives - LISTSERV.MIAMIOH.EDU

My favorite should-be-a-wordism from my most recent bout of grading:

He may have been motivated by his subconscientious mind.

Bill Spruiell

Dept. of English

Central Michigan University

From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Diane Allen
Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2006 9:51 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Question: Language change and malapropism

Diane Allen, M.A.
Technical Writing Coordinator
Midland College
AFA 131
432/685-6458 office
432/686-4901 fax
[log in to unmask]

>>> [log in to unmask] 3/16/2006 7:43 AM >>>

The discussion of the broadening of the meaning of 'unique' is interesting, but I see a different problem that I might call widespread malapropism.

My students often create terms or use them as malapropisms--and these may be derived from rap music or these may have their roots in Microsoft Word's spell-checker. Does anyone else know anything more about this?

One frequently occurring example is the word 'blase' to mean "bla-bla-bla" or 'yadayadayada". My students will actually say: "blase blase blase" thinking that it is equivalent to these other terms. So when this phrase enters widespread use, can we say that the meaning of 'blase' has altered? (even though most students who use it in this context do not know that they have altered a meaning; they think they have learned a new word.)

How do they pronounce "blase" in this case: "blah-zay" or "blaze"? Or maybe some other inimitable way?

Diane

To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list"

Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/

Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list"