Clip Board by Edward Dudley in the latest CILIP Update (March 2005, p.14) raises excellent points on our professional language, often imported management-speak via the "Meeja":
"The Way Forward wrong-foots those seeking other solutions. And 'Positive' was the adjective used recently in CILIP Council to epitomise the reception of the byzantine Framework of Qualifications, meaning it was approved by the many and those who didn't were a Negative Lot."
Comment: The Positive-Negative distinction was used by TFPL in their analysis of the response to the NeLH/NLH roadshows. I seem to remember, though, there were more Negatives than Positives.
"Emphasis in making a point has led to flatulent and overheated language: people are 'Devastated' (a term once applied to Hiroshima and Dresden), sound becomes 'Robust', 'affect' becomes 'impact', a devoutly wished for consummation becomes a 'Strategy'."
Comment: People may remember "Robust" is one of Edward George's "favourites", but there have been quite a few criticisms of alleged linguistic flatulence on these lists.
"But take heart. At http://neighbourhoods.typepad.com, a blog set up by Kevin Harris (www.local-level.org.uk), sundry characters are striking back at bloated language and current cliche with a 'Regeneration Glossary': 'Stakeholder' - one who approves of government policy; 'Scoping' - guesswork; 'Local Strategic Partnership' - council quango; and 'Governance' - means of avoiding spending money."
Comment: This sounds a great idea, but one problem is keeping up with the buzzwords and cliches. Can anyone tell us which of these are currently in, and which are out?
Gordon.
Gordon Smith
The Sally Howell Library
Epsom General Hospital
Dorking Road
Epsom, Surrey, KT18 7EG
Tel. 01372-735688, Fax 01372-735687
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The Master said, "Look at the means a man employs,
observe the basis on which he acts,
and discover where it is that he feels at ease.
Where can he hide? Where can he hide?"
- Analects of Confucius 2.10 (Slingerland)
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