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Re: [OM] E-1 first impressions

Subject: Re: [OM] E-1 first impressions
From: andrew fildes <afildes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 06:59:42 +1100
I have a theory about irony - developed from watching several flame wars on chat lists. Generally speaking, Americans have an unfortunate reputation for not 'hearing' irony. I was puzzled by this - after all, this is the people who gave us Thurber, etc. They know what it is. But still, there was the evidence - endless arguments on lists triggered by misunderstood ironic comments. I speculated - what is it about American usage that suggests that ironies are missed. Best I could come up with is a Seinfeld theory. In American usage, irony exists and even abounds but is signalled - "Hey, this comment is ironic" (you can tell by my tone, facial expression, etc.) However, in British usage, (and Australian, and in French I suspect) irony is virtually the dominant form of speech. There is no signal - you expect it at any time. Consequently Europeans consider Americans to be a bit simple and Americans consider Europeans to be devious - neither true, even in a general sense. (Tourists excepted) [Ironic comment]. In a forum like this, where non-verbal signals are impossible and emoticons can be misunderstood, such errors are frequent and only goodwill and experience keeps it friendly.

Of course, you shouldn't take ANY of the above seriously - I'm not American after all! :)
AndrewF
:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) (Now I've done that, I can deny any malicious intent and accuse objectors of being, er, well....)




I saw the emoticon. "a point REALLY far away? :-)" showed you a talking about a point infinitely far away, with dry wit.

I think it was King Lear who said,
"Abandon not, therefore, irony lest irony also abandon ye."

Maybe not.  :)

Lama

From: "Andrew Gullen"
 I herewith abandon and abjure irony when writing on the net. :-)

From: "Andrew Gullen"
 > >> Actually, don't parallel rays emerge from a point REALLY far away? :-)


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