Subj : "the" o "a"
To   : alexander koryagin
From : Ardith Hinton
Date : Fri Apr 06 2018 19:58:28

Hi, Alexander!  Recently you wrote in a message to Dallas Hinton:

 DH>  A crescendo is an increase in volume over time and
 DH>  yes you can reach the beginning of a crescendo in
 DH>  music, but as the journalists (hack, spit) use it
 DH>  they seem to think a crescendo is a peak; a point
 DH>  in time.

 ak>  I guess that it is the way how words change their
 ak>  meaning or get additional ones. People who know the
 ak>  word poorly may use it in their own way. If such
 ak>  people are heard by many the new meaning begins to
 ak>  live its own life.


            Unfortunately, yes....



 ak>  And the dictionary has no choice but to add the
 ak>  new entry.


            As Dallas says, most English/English dictionaries nowadays add such 
entries.  Another example from music is "classical", which we both recognize as 
a particular style dating from about 1750-1800 but many others don't.  There is 
also the word "argument" from English class, and (as you've seen elsewhere) the 
geographical name "Holland".  In the "real world" I must understand what others 
mean, even if I wouldn't put it that way myself... and there's where I may want 
the dictionary to help me out.  I realize the English language has changed over 
time & will continue to do so, but I see much of its power & beauty being lost.



 ak>  From another side: can we make the confrontation
 ak>  stronger? If it can become stronger we can escalate
 ak>  it, as we can escalate any crisis.


            As I see it the noun "confrontation" is derived from the verb "[to] 
confront", which means to face up to & deal with a problem.  How people do that 
varies widely.  But when I compare dictionaries I see e.g. "face with hostility 
or violence" entering the list of definitions for the verb & creeping closer to 
the top.  One must always remember that it's not in the best interests of those 
who sell "news" to fight such trends if the audience wants to assume the worst.

            The word "crisis" has undergone similar changes.  The meaning which 
comes initially to my mind... the turning point in a novel or in a fever... has 
apparently been outranked nowadays as more general definitions like "a state of 
danger" have moved to the top of the list.  If you look at it that way, I guess 
you could speak of an escalation.  IMHO "escalation of conflict" is simpler and 
has already withstood the test of time.  But there again you may see words such 
as "fight", "hostilities", and "struggle" used to explain "conflict".  While it 
isn't necessarily dramatic, I reckon that's what sticks in many people's minds.



 ak>  I should read more good books. ;-)


            When you quoted an excerpt from IVANHOE, I thought the language was 
wonderful... that was what inspired me to read the book for myself.  But it's a 
rip-roaring good adventure story too, for those who want lots of action.

            I look forward to seeing more citations like that... [chuckle].




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

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