England and America two countries divided by a common language?

In the letter from the BBC to Tony Palmer it speaks of 'findability', not a real word. I watched Question Time on BBC News 24 yesterday and James Rubin, the former Assistant Secretary of State, used the word 'Weaponize' - it was said in the context of 'arming' a nuclear weapon. Oscar Wilde wrote in 1887 that `We have really everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language'. The BBC is doing the best to ensure that even that difference is eradicated. It was George Bernard Shaw who said, "England and America are two countries divided by a common language."

Norman Mailer's Language Lesson

Norman Mailer, the brilliant American writer, died two days ago and in his honour the Andrew Marr show repeated an interview he gave not long ago. In it Mailer talked about how we must use the correct language if we are to deal with the issues that face society. He cited Colin Powell calling the Twin Tower bombers, "cowards". Mailer said call them any expletive you like or any other word that describes what they did, but they are clearly not 'cowards'. They were men prepared to die for their ideals.

They are not ideals I agree with and I abhor their violence and everything about what they did. However, as Mailer said, "You can't start fooling with the language if you want to deal with issues properly." He's absolutely right, because you don't address the subject you get embroiled in the rhetoric or the heaven's forbid, political correctness.

The Language of Resignation

In the row over the British Airways fine for trying to 'fix the fares' one small piece of the jigsaw has gone unmentioned in a long while. One of the BA board directors who resigned said in a letter to the BA chairman. That there may have been "inappropriate conversations" in his office over long-haul fuel surcharges, although he said he was not involved in "such conversations".

The language of resignation has always fascinated me. It always seems to take the form of some completely bizarre turns of phrase. Mind you, you don't necessarily have to resign. Ask Bill Clinton.

Interesting.....

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but, the wrod as a wlohe.

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