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Better English 38
Timely Communications Tips
November 19, 2009
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WE ALL NEED AN EDITOR
-- GOOD OLD PLAUTUS
-- AN EDITOR CRITIQUES THE OLD GRAY LADY
-- CONTINUALLY OR CONTINUOUSLY
-- BOOKS FOR AFRICA

Some reminders that we can all benefit by showing our work to an editor.

GOOD OLD PLAUTUS
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 My good friend Sidney Offit, who has written the foreword for the recently published collected stories of his good friend, Kurt Vonnegut, says that he always asks his wife to read documents before he sends them out.

I always thought that was a step down for a published writer.

Then I read what Titus Maccius Plautus, the greatest Roman comic playwright wrote: "No man is wise enough by himself," and it reminded me of the wise editorial practice of showing your writing to somebody before sending it out.


AN EDITOR CRITIQUES THE OLD GRAY LADY
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 Philip B. Corbett, the associate managing editor for standards at the "NYT," oversees a weekly critique of their newsroom. Here are some missteps or mis- writes he found since my last issue.

1. "It's not just the enormity of the mission, it's the familiarity. General McChrystal doesn't hide the bitterness in his voice as he describes having to take back Helmand Province all over again."

In precise usage, "enormity" means "great wickedness," which is not what the "Times" writer meant.

2. "Gilberto Zald�var, a co-founder of the Repertorio Espa�ol, New York City's premiere Spanish- language theater company, died Tuesday at his home in Manhattan."

It should be "premier," meaning first in importance. "Premiere" means the first performance or showing.


CONTINUALLY OR CONTINUOUSLY
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 One author whose book we are publishing, wrote, "If you become continuously fearful of venturing out, or extremely anxious when considering the prospect, contact your physician and seek some individual counseling."

He means "continually" or repeated over and over again. The words refers to what is intermittent or repeated at intervals. It happens, then stops, then happens again.

"Continuous" means unceasing, going on without interruption, constantly. Rivers flow continuously. In April, fog hovers continuously over the London Book Fair. President Obama's leadership is under continuous scrutiny.

I still wonder what Miles Davis thought about John Coltrane's "sheets of sound" technique. Did he want Trane to play more continually rather than continuously?

The great saxophonist told Miles that he just couldn't stop sometimes.

I wasn't there, but I heard that Miles replied, "Take the horn out of your mouth."


BOOKS FOR AFRICA
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 I once served on the board of the International Book Bank, so I'm not a disinterested supporter.

To help them send another container of books to Malawi, Click here to make a secure, on-line gift earmarked for Malawi.

If you believe in the power of books to change lives, then sign the e-petition to support the More Books for Africa Act of 2009. Read the proposed act here. And sign the petition here.

Sincerely,
Barry Beckham


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