Quote:
Originally Posted by gmw
You need to be careful with this sort of thing though: - Some of the criticisms listed on this thread can also apply to some classic fiction. Errors happen even with the best of writers. In dictionary.com I found this article about Jane Austen's writing that may be of interest to those following this thread and/or are interested in the importance of editors.
- Sometimes the misuse of words like "literally" are specifically included in dialogue because real people do (mis)use it. Pratchett highlights such misuse in one of the Tiffany Aching novels, Tiffany takes a keen interest in words and their meaning.
- The meaning of some words and phrases does indeed change over time. For this reason some people like to have annotated versions of some historical works (something I think I should have considered when I read Moby Dick recently, I would have really liked someone to tell me - in plain, modern English - what some of his digressions really meant).
Decimate is a word that has changed, and is still changing, in its accepted meaning, see dictionary.com. Of course the main point that you make is still correct, an author's choice of words is important, but it is sometimes relevant to check that your own understanding is not outdated. |
All good points.
With "literally", I was thinking more of speech than writing. And in writing, I think it's hard to tell sometimes if the writer actually knows the difference, or if that "I'm just writing the way people talk" thing is really just a cover. I get suspicious about things like that when the rest of their dialogue doesn't show any sign of dialect or idiomatic speech. I kind of think an author needs to show his/her chops before that kind of usage can be given the benefit of the doubt.
As for errors: Yeah, I agree with you. We all make them. I think a good writer makes a grammatical error sound like the way you
should say things, though.
(To be honest, I still can't bring myself to say things like "It is I", rather than "It is me" or "It's me". I don't care if it's grammatically correct. It's just
wrong, damn it!
)
I understand about "decimate". That's why I conceded I probably needed to get over it. (In my defense, though, Merriam-Webster (at least online) lists the common usage definition third out of three.
)