Petersham is not Xanadu. Once out of our shelter we see:
Photo 1: First plane this morning
Photo 2: Henson Park
Often ugly but the suburbs have their benefits.
I have dusted off:
- Gowers (ed), Fowler’s Modern English Usage, 2nd edn, OUP, 1968, and the:
- Style Manual: for authors, editors and printers, rev. Snooks, 6th edn, Wiley, 2002
to develop consistency in writing. It is surprising that these are still the latest editions – I had assumed that the changing English grammar and usage would have prompted updates.
Today’s Blog
While on the subject of ‘writing’, I stumbled across:
“’Ongoing targeted change outcomes’ and other crimes”, Off Air with PM’s Mark Colvin, http://blogs.abc.net.au/offair/2009/09/ongoing-targeted-change-outcomes-and-other-crimes.html.
His first theme is that he is a ‘language bore’ and I agree. Colvin then quotes George Orwell to defend his stance. He then moves on to Don Anderson’s article in The Age, “Language like this should be put to the torch”, (http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/language-like-this-should-be-put-to-the-torch-20090918-fv9x.html) which I read in SMH Spectrum, 26 September, 2009. I found Anderson’s argument too dense and lost interest half-way. We are then taken to the destruction of society because English usage is changing. And finally, we return to Orwell’s six recommendations for good writing.
This is obscure writing, partly because I couldn’t find the continuity that drew me into his thesis. One example of his implicit rejection of Orwell’s advice is:
Language was bound to be important to me, admittedly. I took a degree in English language and literature at university, and I’ve made my living by talking and writing in English for the last 35 years, so I have an interest purely as a craftsman.
Perhaps:
Language is important to me as I make a living by talking and writing English.
And the ABC and Fairfax should exercise some discipline with their url’s – these are ridiculous.
Today’s Podcasts
“Surviving without the web”, 29 September, ft.com/podcasts, http://podcast.ft.com/index.php
Living without internet access is possible but limiting, as I found in Canberra last weekend. I am always connected at home and constantly look up information. Away, I can usually connect to GMail, Google or remotely access the servers at Petersham. However, an internet connection is essential so I can understand how inefficient this person became when he didn’t connect for a week.
“The Candid Frame #80 – Nevada Wier”, 11 August, The Candid Frame: A Photography Podcast, http://thecandidframe.blogspot.com/
An informative interview with a self-taught photographer.