Editing 2390: Linguists
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | + | {{incomplete|Created by A LINGUIST IN A HOLE. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}} | |
− | + | Ponytail hears the cries of an unidentified person who has become trapped in a hole. She rushes over and asks whether the trapped person's chosen phrasing for their predicament - "fell down a hole" - is equivalent to "fell in a hole." | |
− | In the caption, Randall comments on the stereotype that linguists are obnoxious elitists who only love telling people how wrong they are (" | + | For the case "fell down a hole", most people would likely understand "fell" (action) "down" (direction) "a hole" (place), while it could also be understood as "fell" (action) "down a hole" (place). Since "down a hole" is about the same as "in a hole" (barring being completely inside or not), Ponytail would like to know if "fell down a hole" is meant as "fell in a hole" or not. This phrase, on the other hand, has the same problem of being ambiguous, but with the additional problem that it is not clear what the majority of people would understand <sup>[https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/285:_Wikipedian_Protester citation needed]</sup>. "Fell down into a hole" would likely solve the problem, but isn't mentioned in the comic. |
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+ | In the caption, Randall comments on the stereotype that linguists are obnoxious elitists who only love telling people how wrong they are ("grammar nazis"). He claims the truth is much worse, that linguists' desire to extract exact meaning from phrases is done with the best of intentions. He also claims that this is worse than if they were pedants browbeating their audience, possibly because a pedant could prioritize the elements of a situation better than Ponytail is doing here. | ||
This is similar to the viewpoint dedicated to scientists in comic [[877: Beauty]], as in studying that field seems to be a cold and sad way to analyze the thing, but instead is an extreme form of child-like awe and inspiration. | This is similar to the viewpoint dedicated to scientists in comic [[877: Beauty]], as in studying that field seems to be a cold and sad way to analyze the thing, but instead is an extreme form of child-like awe and inspiration. | ||
− | The title text | + | The title text goes further on this quest of understanding by trying to see whether the different usages is tied to the current situation or not. |
− | + | ==Transcript== | |
+ | {{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}} | ||
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:[Ponytail is walking to the left. A voice calls out from behind her (at the right of the panel):] | :[Ponytail is walking to the left. A voice calls out from behind her (at the right of the panel):] | ||
:Off-panel voice: Help! | :Off-panel voice: Help! |