Klarinet Archive - Posting 000547.txt from 2002/11

From: Deidre Calarco <dleigh@-----.org>
Subj: [kl] Warning! Inappropriate language to describe sound
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2002 23:56:15 -0500

Wow! You're right. I never would have thought that the use of color
metaphors for sound could be so controversial.

If someone says something and other people understand it, doesn't that make
it a successful use of language? Is there really a precise, resonant way to
describe sound quality? Even if there is, why would there be anything wrong
with using less precise language, as long as most people agree on a range of
meaning? We're not all linguists.

To add a little levity (and profanity), when I think about using
"Inappropriate language" to describe sound, I think:

"Damn! That mouthpiece kicks ass!"
"That was the shit"
"played it like a motherfucker"

Or, more negatively,
"That sounded like two chipmunks fucking"

-DC
(whose inner 12 year old is alive and well and possibly about to be kicked
off the list!)

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