Terminology: vernacular vs latinate

J Patrick Draine draine@mediaone.net
Tue, 3 Nov 1998 08:27:43 -0500


Dear List:
On the one hand, it's great that we have a work like "Piano Parts and Their
Functions", complied by Merle Mason.
On the other hand, don't we suffer from linguistically "low status
terminology"?
When I ask my MD what the scratchy dry patch of skin on my arm is, she
replies "Hmmm, looks like ankylitic keratosis"; since I avoided studying
Latin as a youth, I had to ask for an English translation.
We, on the other hand, tell our customers "you need new bridle straps",
"looks like pulley keys", etc. Our clients are dubious as we try to explain
the meaning of such goofy terms.
Are there any Latin scholars out there (Horace?) ready and willing to
create a nice, highly impressive, Latin based version of Mason's "Piano
Parts"?
Have a good day,
Patrick




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