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Re: [OM] E-1 first impressions

Subject: Re: [OM] E-1 first impressions
From: "Boris Grigorov" <alienspecimen@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 08:26:59 -0500 (EST)
Cc:
I doubt that even Bubba Clinton can fabricate more politically correct 
manifesto (my favorite word lately, I use it whenever I can)...
Boris
P.S.  What are emoticons?  I bet if one of your students dared to make that 
mistake, you'll be all over with your red pen...

and this is the original message in it's entirety:Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 
06:59:42 +1100
From: andrew fildes <afildes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [OM] E-1 first impressions

I have a theory about irony - developed from watching several flame 
wars on chat lists. Generally speaking, Americans have an unfortunate 
reputation for not 'hearing' irony. I was puzzled by this - after 
all, this is the people who gave us Thurber, etc. They know what it 
is. But still, there was the evidence - endless arguments on lists 
triggered by misunderstood ironic comments.
I speculated - what is it about American usage that suggests that 
ironies are missed. Best I could come up with is a Seinfeld theory. 
In American usage, irony exists and even abounds but is signalled - 
"Hey, this comment is ironic" (you can tell by my tone, facial 
expression, etc.)  However, in British usage, (and Australian, and in 
French I suspect) irony is virtually the dominant form of speech. 
There is no signal - you expect it at any time.
Consequently Europeans consider Americans to be a bit simple and 
Americans consider Europeans to be devious - neither true, even in a 
general sense. (Tourists excepted) [Ironic comment]. In a forum like 
this, where non-verbal signals are impossible and emoticons can be 
misunderstood, such errors are frequent and only goodwill and 
experience keeps it friendly.

Of course, you shouldn't take ANY of the above seriously - I'm not 
American after all! :)
AndrewF
:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) 
:) :) :) :) :) :) :)
(Now I've done that, I can deny any malicious intent and accuse 
objectors of being, er, well....)


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