Subj : A rule needed :)
To   : Alexander Koryagin
From : Ardith Hinton
Date : Sat Nov 30 2019 23:35:46

Hi, Alexander!  Awhile ago you wrote in a message to Ardith Hinton:

AK>  I also don't see any evidence indicating Annabel
AK>  had been employed in the same capacity, but IMHO
AK>  also there is no ground to suggest that a stenographer
AK>  is as unique position in a firm as its President.
     |is in as unique a position


           The title of "president" certainly sounds more formal, and is often 
capitalized.  With other job titles, however, the situation may be less clear. 
"Secretary of State" is an official role which is held by only one person at a 
time... yet the word "secretary" may be used to describe any of four employees 
in a large high school.  The question in my mind is whether or not the article 
can correctly be omitted if I'm referring to the secretary, teacher-librarian, 
etc. at a much smaller school... or to the proprietor of Giovanni's Bistro.  I 
must say I found the omission of the article in your example surprising, but I 
can see justfication for it if it's optional there & the novelist wants to get 
on with the show ASAP after filling in a bit of the background....  :-)


           Four centuries ago, other writers left out "the" in:


                 Where is he that is born King of the Jews?
                                           --  Matt. 2:2, KJV


                 The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
                                           --  Wm. Shakespeare


We could have a great time discussing why Herod saw Jesus as a potential rival 
and whether or not Hamlet was the last of his line, but my point is that AFAIK 
native speakers of English have been leaving out "the" in situations where the 
rationale is not immediately obvious for quite awhile now.  The rule you cited 
mentions two important factors... the uniqueness of the job & the formality of 
the job description.  In everyday life things may not be quite so simple.  But 
as long as you know rules have exceptions I can't think of a better one.  :-))




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
 * Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)

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