The Central Pro/Pre/Per Scriptivisor

[Elainemmbell at aol.com]

In a message dated 3/11/2003 12:01:25 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
vze422fs at verizon.net writes:

> The bottom line is lingua franca. I learned while driving long-haul trucks
> across the south to use the local phraseology at fuel stations, truck 
> stops,
> and diners. It works wonders. The same attitude has helped me in Parisian
> nightclubs and London pubs. Don't be a jerk, learn to say it their way.
> They'll treat you better. But don't try to fake it, they'll be insulted.
> Listen, learn, and adapt.
> 

Yes, I think Joe has it just right.  When you need to be understood, speak in 
whatever fashion makes people understand you.  This protective coloration is 
NOT the kind of manipulative, fundamentally duplicitous activity I was 
referring to by using the phrase "camouflage".  What's Joe's referring to is 
not only an appropriate lifesaving activity but also does show respect and 
courtesy to others.  He makes an important point by saying "don't fake it", 
though.  

And it's that, the obvious faking of an oral (and sometimes even written, 
especially in this medium where writing is essentially speaking) dialect, 
that confuses and irritates me.  For however many voices one CAN assume, 
given necessity through travel, cultural or professional requisite, etc., I 
believe we each still think and, in our own heads, speak, in one true and 
natural dialect.

For instance, new mothers are instinctively adept at choosing the right tone 
of voice and verbal constructions necessary to soothe their babies, but when 
the same mother is thinking about her latest professional project she 
probably isn't saying "oogie, oogie, baby boo" in her head.
Elaine M.M. Bell, Writer
(860) 523-9225
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