Editing 2390: Linguists
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
+ | {{incomplete|Created by A LINGUIST IN A HOLE (OR IS IT A PIT?). As a non native English speaker, I do not at all understand the differences between what Ponytail perceives and what should have actually been said. And I did not get any the more wiser from the current explanation. What is it that Ponytail thinks is being said, and what should have been said to avoid misunderstanding? Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}} | ||
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Ponytail hears the cries of an unidentified person who has become trapped in a hole. She rushes over, but rather than helping the person out, she instead asks whether the trapped person's chosen phrasing for their predicament – "fell down a hole" – is equivalent to "fell in a hole." | Ponytail hears the cries of an unidentified person who has become trapped in a hole. She rushes over, but rather than helping the person out, she instead asks whether the trapped person's chosen phrasing for their predicament – "fell down a hole" – is equivalent to "fell in a hole." | ||
− | To most people, the phrases "fell down a hole" and "fell in a hole" are | + | To most people, the phrases "fell down a hole" and "fell in a hole" are synonymous. To other people however, the two sentences have a subtle difference that implies slightly different things; for example, whether one has fully or only partially fell down the hole, how big the hole is, or {{w|Perfective aspect|whether the person is still in the hole at the time of speaking}}. Ponytail is thus asking whether the person chose to use 'down' over 'in' for those reasons. In either case, the joke here is that this is probably not the best time for Ponytail to ask. |
− | In the caption, Randall comments on the stereotype that linguists are obnoxious elitists who only love telling people how wrong they are ("{{w|Linguistic prescription|Grammar Nazi}}s"). | + | In the caption, Randall comments on the stereotype that linguists are obnoxious elitists who only love telling people how wrong they are ("{{w|Linguistic prescription|Grammar Nazi}}s"). 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 are tied to the current situation or not. Perhaps "I fell down a hole" means "I ''just'' fell down a hole" (one has currently fallen down this hole, explaining the situation as seen) or else "I ''once'' fell down a hole" (one had previously fallen down a(nother?) hole, retelling of a prior unseen occurrence). It may even be an explanation: Having discovered the joys of being down a hole, after a prior inadvertent fall, this is why the voice has (re)descended into this hole despite having had temporarily gotten out of that original depression. |
− | The last sentence “assuming you get out” drives home the point that Ponytail is concerning herself with linguistic matters over practical ones. Ponytail’s use of “assuming” rather than “when” suggests that Ponytail doesn’t have a plan to get the person out, or that she has a plan but isn’t confident in its success. The former interpretation, that Ponytail is thinking of the person getting out as abstract and unconnected with her, is funnier and more consistent with Ponytail’s actions so far. | + | The title text’s last sentence “assuming you get out” drives home the point that Ponytail is concerning herself with linguistic matters over practical ones. Ponytail’s use of “assuming” rather than “when” suggests that Ponytail doesn’t have a plan to get the person out, or that she has a plan but isn’t confident in its success. The former interpretation, that Ponytail is thinking of the person getting out as abstract and unconnected with her, is funnier and more consistent with Ponytail’s actions so far. |
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
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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! |