The Controlled Natural Language of Randall Munroe's Thing Explainer [pdf]

Post by ethbro » Tue, May 10, 2016, 10:11 PM UTC

cyphar wrote: post #62

drb311 wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Rare words can make writing more efficient and enjoyable. But it doesn't always. To my ears: "I use language for two reasons:" Is better than "To me, language is wielded with dual intention" But I always enjoy the word "florid", even though it's not in the top 1000 words.

> "To me, language is wielded with dual intention" I've got to be honest. I actually prefer that one. Not for conveying meaning but it definitely sounds nicer -- as a though it were a part of a Shakespearean soliloquy.

Post by gohrt » Tue, May 10, 2016, 11:23 PM UTC

johnlbevan2 wrote: post #31

gotodengo wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In this case the phrase is a more artistic way of describing the beginning of a fight. Think of "John set upon Mike angrily" as John set, or selected, Mike as his target. It's also a great example of the topic at hand because the same phrase could be used like "The book was set upon the table." Describing a book that was placed on a table. Each version uses the same common vocabulary, to describe wildly different thi…

Or phonetically similar / by moving a space: "John was set up on a date" - someone arranged a romantic encounter for John. "John was setup on a date" - on some specific day John was assembled. "John was set upon a date" - John assaulted a piece of fruit.