I fell off the turnip truck long enough ago to have heard it is insensitive to make fun of people whose verbal skills might not be at grade level. This is particularly true of one who struggles as much with the language as I do. However, like Rush Limbaugh, I live in Literalville. I expect people to choose words and order them in conventions that convey meaning.
Recently, I have helped two different people taking courses at the local community college with assignments. I was rather annoyed at the way the teachers were asking questions with multiple interpretations. A literal interpretation of a few of them would lead to an incorrect answer. Perhaps the strategy is to look for key words and plug the numbers into the equations used in class. In other words, students are being rewarded and welcomed to the educated class for being able to demonstrate a lack of understanding.
Another linguistic beef hit me as I read the staff reports for Asheville City Council today. It seems the festival fund has found itself in a “negative cash position.” If words mean nothing, math doesn’t either, and so to correct the situation, the city’s auditor recommended renaming and reclassifying some line items.
Another staff report indicates that the city is of a “level that has been determined by HUD to have investigative capacity.” The city is considering changing the organization that provides “HUD-required services” to ensure compliance with federal fair housing laws. Staff regrets the city will have to engage in marketing these services.
