TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Dissing the phrase "begging the question" From:"Tamminga, Ernie" <et -at- DSC -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 12 Jun 1997 09:54:27 -0700
Good point, but . . . this isn't quite the same thing...
Adding the new word "dissed" to the language is not the same as
destroying the meaning of the word "disrespected", which is still
available to anyone who wants to use it. In fact, now having the word
"dissed" along with the word "disrespected" gives us the ability to add
nuance -- because, as you point out, the "impact" of the two words is
not identical.
The effect of adding to the language is to enrich the range of
meaning(s) we can express in the language.
The effect of stripping the meaning from words/phrases that were already
in the language is to impoverish the available range of expression.
The misuse of the phrase "to beg the question" has the effect of
taking-away a meaning, without adding anything in return. "To RAISE the
question" was a phrase we already had; the misuse just erases the
difference between that phrase and "to BEG the question", which used to
have its own meaning -- a meaning which is hard to express in any other
way, without using lots more words.
Not to veer overmuch into philosophy, but: to lose the "name" of a
thing is to lose the thing itself.
--------
Ernie Tamminga
Director, InfoEngineering
Digital Sound Corporation
-----------------------------------------------
Opinions expressed are my own, and not necessarily those of Digital
Sound Corporation
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Michael Wilder [SMTP:mwilder -at- smtplink -dot- deltecpower -dot- com]
>Sent: Thursday, June 12, 1997 7:29 AM
>To: Tamminga, Ernie; TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
>Subject: verbal abuse of "begging the question" -Reply
>
>Someone said#
>The fine phrase "to beg the question" is very fast becoming
>synonymous with "to RAISE the question". I first remember hearing
>this usage on a
>TV commercial for some toothpaste, a couple of years ago. Something
>about showing a dentist in his own bathroom brushing his teeth, and
>this
>"begging the question" of what toothpaste he used.
>
>I remember crying out in pain when I heard this. ...and I've had to
>cringe repeatedly since, as the new usage gradually forces-out the
>real meaning of the phrase.
>
>The real meaning of "to beg the question" is: TO EMPLOY AN ARGUMENT
>THAT
>ASSUMES AS VALID THE VERY SAME ARGUMENT THAT ONE IS TRYING TO PROVE
>
>Michael Wilder retorted:
>
>Language is a living, evolving entity used as a tool of expression.
>As meaning changes so does language.
>
>For example, the importance of respect in minority communities and
>need for rapid expression has forced the word disrespect to become
>the word dis. (There are lot of other reasons I sure.)
>
>"Hey man, you disrepected me"
>"Hey man, you dissed me"
>
>The word dis is much more effective in conveying its intended
>meaning.
>
>Just some thoughts
>
>MIke W.
>
>
>
>
>
TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html
