Archive for Tuesday, November 4, 2008
British councils are no Latin lovers
November 4, 2008
Advertisement
London — It's a bona fide scandal.
Britain's Latin and Greek aficionados are outraged at a decision by some local councils to veto the use of Latin words and phrases - including bona fide, ad lib, et cetera and e.g. - in official documents.
The councils say Latin is no longer widely understood. But classicists say axing Latin phrases is an attack on the foundations of English - the linguistic equivalent of "ethnic cleansing."
The council in Bournemouth, a town of 170,000 on England's south coast, has a "plain language" policy that lists 19 Latin words and phrases to be avoided, and suggests replacements. The council recommends "improvised" instead of ad hoc, and "genuine" for bona fide.
More like this
- Giving life to a dead language May 27, 2005
- MCLOUTH GROCERY STORE CLOSER TO REALITY September 19, 1996
- Latin Mass receives blessing of pope July 8, 2007
- Focus on basics spurs interest in learning Latin October 12, 2002
- Change the jobs 6 comments / April 17, 2006
Top ads RSS
Marketplace
Arts & Entertainment · Bars · Theatres · Restaurants · Coffeehouses · Libraries · Antiques · Services
- Nation has right to ask ‘why?’ November 21, 2009 · 51 comments
- Palin stirs feminist ambivalence November 21, 2009 · 21 comments
- Mangino's contract outlines probe November 21, 2009 · 68 comments
- KU's Wright didn't approach Perkins November 21, 2009 · 13 comments
- Blog: Acting (Some Days, Most Days, Frequently And Occasionally) President Dan Wildcat Is Off Campus This Week . November 19, 2009 · 18 comments
- Nothing to lose: Reeling KU huge underdog for a change November 21, 2009 · 26 comments
- Blog: Palin Book Could Be Your Cheapest Source For Winter Fuel November 20, 2009 · 80 comments
- Blog: We Noticed November 19, 2009 · 124 comments
- Mangino denies validity of former player allegations November 19, 2009 · 158 comments
- On the street: Will you miss ‘The Oprah Winfrey’ show? November 21, 2009 · 20 comments
- Four decades in crisis mode November 21, 2009
- Winter sports officially begin for city schools November 17, 2009
- The cowboy way: Williamstown church ministry draws unique following November 21, 2009
- Mangino's contract outlines probe November 21, 2009
- Americans save more but earn less as interest rates fall November 21, 2009
- Obesity activist crossing country to urge American Indians to embrace healthier diet November 20, 2009
- A sad story November 19, 2009
- Method, committee makeup key to KU chancellor search December 13, 2008
- Leaders offer tips for chancellor’s successful tenure November 21, 2009
- On target November 21, 2009
Post a comment
Requires free LJWorld.com registration. Register or log in below.
Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.
Post a blog entry
You have to be logged in to blog on LJWorld.com. Please log in or sign up.
Learn more about blogging on LJWorld.com.