The Emporia Gazette only appeared to welcome the effort to make English the state’s official language, observing how much “gibberish” and “gobbledygook” can be found in the state’s regulations, forms and other official documents.
But its editorial concluded: “If the House Republicans want to do something to strengthen the role of English in Kansas government, we would suggest comprehensive English exams — and perhaps weekly pop quizzes in grammar and spelling — for all members of the Legislature.”
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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20 Comments
ROFL No kidding!
great idea!
Break out the piss tests while we’re at it.
Spin. Why worry about “proper english” when you have the damands for other languages. Additionally, how do you know that that person speaking another language usage(spanish usually) is any more correct than our english usage.
This is just pure spin. You cannot be serious with this point that in order to first require english only we need it perfect. Again, an stupid argument to peanlize an American Citizen and criticizing them and condeming them, all the while making accommidations for those that CHOOSE not to speak ENglish.
BTW, all of our laws are in English and translation is terrible. SO much meaning gets lost in translation.
This is a stupid thread and argument.
ASS, learn how to spell before you bitch and moan about language.
Along those same lines, I find it interesting that barbers, plumbers, beauticians, electricians, etc., all must prove competency and be licensed. But, there is no competency/licensing for people to run for office?
A simple test on the US and state constitutions before filing for any office might not be a bad idea…
Good idea, Raptor, I doubt Bush would pass.
Cant read English? Cant understand our laws? You have two choices.
1. Learn English
2. Tuck tail and leave
“gibberish” and “gobbledygook” is often written and approved by lawyers. Blame them for readability of text in state and federal laws.
Ever read a legal document of any kind. It is usually ten times as long as necessary, requires multiple signatures, addendums, additional forms to denote some obscure fact of the form you are signing.
Also, the multiple copies that must be filed, stamped and generally administratively mutilated before it is file never to be seen again.
So true. Years ago I introduced a topic for a bill that was introduced to the Legislature. By the time it went through “translation” from English to gobbledygook I could hardly recognize it.
It wouldn’t do any good to require legislators to pass an English test. Language is designed to express ideas. Legislators use it to hide the fact that they don’t have any!
As a lawyer, and one who is semi-skilled in “legalese”, I point out in defense of my colleagues and me that much of what is labeled “gobbledygook” is no more than using “terms of art” to describe circumstances which may arise in the future under a contract, etc., whereby a result may obtain in the absence of such language unintended by the parties to such agreement; or, which circumstances were not foreseen by the parties, even though well within the realm of probability at the time said agreement was executed, thereby providing an agreed outcome in the event of such circumstances without the need for judicial intervention.
lol Vaughn
lawyer humor, gotta love it. :)
A lawyer, doctor, geologist and physicist were argueing over which professsion had been around the longest. “God created Eve from Adam’s rib – obviously required the help of a surgeon” said the doctor. “Perhaps so, but before that He created the heavens and the earth; geological processes” retorted the geologist. “Yes, but before it all He had to create order where there was only darkness and chaos – definitely astrophysics” chimed in the physicist.
The lawyer simply smiled. Then he said “Yes, but where do you think the darkness and chaos came from … “
I understand perfectly what Vaughn said!
;-)
Seriously, much of the “legalese” exists for the same reason many other professions have their own language: so they can protect the secrets of their trade and justify their fees.
The other (and far larger) reason is that precise language is by its nature complex. Most of us routinely speak in general terms – and are often misunderstood (look on this blog, for example). In casual conversation, that misunderstanding may lead to a laugh or a hurt feeling until it is sorted out, but in a contract or a crimimal statute, that misunderstanding can be disasterous. Precision means wordiness, with words that have precise meanings. That means that legal language is often complex and doesn’t roll off the tongue, but such legal terminology is also often necessary so that all parties understand exactly what is agreed upon or expected.
I’m glad lawyers don’t write TV commercials…
Ooops, my bad they do! :(
Exactly, GMC; my “tongue in cheek” example was meant to illustrate this in a humorous way. Precision=wordiness; were that it wasn’t so, but it is; I promise to spend the last years of my existence in trying to come up with a will/trust that can set forth what is meant by the phrase “per stirpes” in less than four “plain language” pages.
Asbestos,
In spite of your poor spelling (English is a proper noun and therefore capitalized), did it ever occur to you that knowing and understanding fully your native tongue is paramount in learning the languages of others? At least it sure as hell helps. ;)
Actually VT, I understood it too. And you are correct; they have to try to get every imaginable contigency covered.
Shock and Awe!
I had expected when this topic was first posted that by this time all the “bag um and tag um” freaks would have taken this post to the limits of hostility.
I had hopes of pure bolg nucular war!
Where are wingnuts anyway?