Klarinet Archive - Posting 000357.txt from 1998/06

From: Dee Hays <deerich@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Terminology
Date: Tue, 9 Jun 1998 20:21:12 -0400

I have been reading the comments on this list about terminology of
various types. Some people think that we are being too picky, but I
disagree. In written communications, we must be as accurate as
possible. There are no gestures, facial expressions, vocal nuances, or
other physical clues that provide so much of the content in verbal
communication. When writing, even capitalization or the lack of it
contributes to the definition.

According to my dictionaries:

song: music suitable for vocalization (whether or not it has words)

Classical: refers specifically to the Classic period. You need the
capital letter to make the meaning clear.

classical: If you use lower case, it does not refer to a specific
period but a general characteristic of timeless quality. In that sense
it is indeed proper to refer to Handel, Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Beethovan
as classical composers. In literature, you can include anything from
Beowulf through Chaucer, Shakespeare, Herman Melville, et al.

If we are sloppy in our usage of the existing words, then we end up
creating new words to once again pinpoint the exact definition that we
need.

Dee Hays
Canton, SD

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