[net.nlang] What can be done?

palmer (02/20/83)

	Apparently, P.M. Trudeau has introduced the word 'allegate', (the act
of making allegations) to replace allege.

	Is there any way of fighting this word before it spreads to other
governments?

		David Palmer

mat (02/21/83)

	The solution to Mr. Trudeau's use of the alleged word ``alledgate''
	involves first teaching Mr. Trudeau English.  I recall reading that
	in France, using a word that is not in the government published
	dictionary can invalidate a legal document in which it is used.
	Perhaps if we could render void any sentence in which Mr. T.
	abuses the flexibilities of the English language, we would
	be able to apply corrective pressure.  But since, I suspect, most
	of Mr. T. speeches are already devoid of useful content, this
	remedy is probably not available.

	Perhaps we should give the Unicorn Hunters our support, and
	publicize their efforts as much as possible.  I wonder what
	they would say about ``posslq''.

	Any Unicorn Hunters on the net?  Anyone know if they publish
	a list of abuses and abusers other than the annual condemnations?


						Don't allegate that this
						is funny !

						
						Mark Terribile

kenr (02/21/83)

I don't think anything can be done, except to standardize the
English language.  For every incorrect word on the order of
"allegate", "orientate", "administrate", there is a proper word
such as "anticipate", "participate", "exculpate".

I guess birds gotta fly, fish gotta swim, people gotta form verbs
from nouns ending in '-ation' by dropping that suffix and adding
'-ate'.

Your pal,
Ken Rhodes

P.S. Anyone wishing to excoriate me (there's another correct '-ate'
verb) may do so at their leisure.

jah (02/25/83)

Perhaps we could try to get government figures to prioritize there
speaking commitments and use less verbification.  Or was it Al Haig who
said all that?