From: Chuck Roghair (ctr@pacificpartssales.com)
Date: Tue Aug 31 2004 - 19:25:32 BST
BLOCKED CAPS FEELS LIKE YELLING.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-moq_discuss@venus.co.uk [mailto:owner-moq_discuss@venus.co.uk]
On Behalf Of Ian Glendinning
Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2004 4:06 AM
To: moq_discuss@moq.org
Subject: MD Scare Quotes and Highlighting
This is really two subjects.
(1) SCARE QUOTES
In order to avoid (too many) boring debates on "semantic pedantry", I have
on many occasions used the idea of "scare quotes"
I didn't invent that term. It's common since USENET days and I believe the
last serious writer I saw use the term was Pinker.
What "scare quotes" say is ...
(A) We're having a difficult discussion at arms length, without the benefit
of body language and shared experience and goals.
(B) I'm using a word that I'm worried we may be using with (small but)
significant difference in meaning to each of us (as a result of A)
(C) I'm highlighting that fact, because if you share that same concern,
perhaps we should check understanding before proceeding, since I am already
predicting this could be the cause of misunderstanding. If you don't, ask
why I'm worried ?
(D) Carry on with the debate anyway, but if we appear to be disagreeing on
something we each feel strongly about, suspect one of these terms.
(E) I'm game to carry on without that semantic debate if you are - we may
learn something anyway.
Didn't someone illustrious say "If two intelligent people seem to be
disagreeing suspect a misunderstanding of terms".
(2) HIGHLIGHTING
We are communicating via a whole range of mail-systems where our only common
ground is ASCII-Text.
We have no formatting with which to emphasise particular words or phrases in
the context we use them.
What do people prefer - BLOCK CAPS - or anything goes ?
Ian Glendinning
MOQ.ORG - http://www.moq.org
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