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I thank you.
For the incurious, the topic abstract of this thread reads:
When I am dictator of the universe, all will be oratio obliqua.
Allow me to explain.
The humble inverted comma is ruining my life. Here I am, a professional writer, one who makes a living, if you can call it living, from the work of words, placed in order (if you can call it work).
Now, recently I find myself in the world of direct speech. Fowler states, although he recognises the controversy, that the single inverted comma is the traditional way to open and close direct quotation, and that quotations within the quotation use the double inverted comma. Thus:
Haus said, 'You are a cock. As is the scabrous filthbeast occasionally and with the soul of abbreviation described by the sailors whose foullest whorehouses she frequents as "your mother".'
The Oxford Guide to English Usage concurs.
Now, instinct, because I was taught by fools, tells me rather that one should use the double quotation mark at the start of oratio recta, and never was an arsing thing so well titled, and the single within, thus drawing attention to the directness of the speech at the start and end with the bolder mark. Fowler admits of this possibly.
This ambiguity has percolated around my head for a decade now and it's DOING MY PLUMS.
FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK.
"FUUUUUUUUUUUUCK," he said.
'To use his own vernacular, what a "fucking pile of shit",' opined Algy.
Thank you for listening. |
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