I read a book about thirty years ago about the difference between written English and spoke English. It talked about something called the key you speech in and the register you write in. It analyzed writing and speech into five groups marked from the most formal writing to the least formal writing and from the most formal speech to the least formal speech. I think the name of that book was "The Five Clocks. I do not remember the author. I think it would help any poet read and write his or her writing and oral poetry. Has anyone seen it around?
Peter
Peter, you can buy it used for $3.95 here:
[bookwormer.com] />
A discussion of Joos' main points is included here:
[www.bris.ac.uk] />
Les
Les,
I am so grateful to you and Hugh Clary and Johnny SansCulo for the diligence you each show in finding all kinds of useful and enjoyable material on the internet for us neophytes.
Peter
Peter, there used to be an advertising slogan back in the 60's which said:
"Thank God and Greyhound", now that saying could be: "Thank God and Google".
I enjoy searching the net and as I once told MarianNYC: The sidetracks are more interesting than the trip itself.
[www.google.com] />
Les
sounds like going to the library and loking through the card catalogue
Nahh, it's more like having a Genie to which you say take me to "Zanzibar" and it takes you there.
[www.allaboutzanzibar.com] />
Les
The trick is in learning to refine what you mean when you say 'Zanzibar.' That's something that comes with experience- '10 million results? Time to refine my query!'
pam
That's what I always have trouble with with it. Even Boolean Logic doesn't always do the trick.
Peter, for some reason, I seem to have either good luck or a particular knack with google.....I don't know if I can impart this, it's more like an instinct than a learned behavior.
and the side trips are fascinating...while verifying that Julie Adams starred in Creature from the Black Lagoon, I found that she was on the Sgt Pepper cover, something I NEVER came across til now !
Peter, I guess I think like them, I rarely have to look past the first 3 pages of results to find something relevant.
Google does have its quirks however. In searching for this quote:
" what did you do for freedom today? " Google leaves out the words "what" and "for". Which makes the whole question meaningless.
But, overall, it's as Pam says. You learn how to phrase things and a few tricks of your own. After about 10,000 searches or so you get the hang of it. It's not as hard as golf, or the violin.
Les
Les,this is not a criticism. I believe that Roy Clark sang a song called Thank God and Greyhound,but I don't recall it being an advertising slogan for them. I rely on my memory of 42 years of broadcasting. For the same reason,that memory isn't as reliable as it once was.
Chuckl
THANK GOD AND GREYHOUND
Roy Clark
I've made a small fortune, and you've squandered it all.
You've shamed me till I feel about one inch tall.
But I thought I loved you, and I hoped you would change,
so I gritted my teeth and didn't complain.
Now you've come to me with a simple goodbye.
You tell me you're leaving, but you won't tell me why.
We're here at the station and you're getting on.
And all I can think of is.........
Thank God and Greyhound you're gone!
Thank God and Greyhound you're gone!
I didn't know how much longer I could go on,
watching you take the respect out of me,
watching you make a total wreck out of me.
That big diesel motor is a playing my song.
Thank God and Greyhound you're gone!
Thank God and Greyhound you're gone!
That load on my mind got lighter when you got on.
That shiney old bus is a beautiful sight,
with the black smoke rolling up around the tail lights.
It may sound kinda cruel, but I've been silent too long:
Thank God and Greyhound you're gone!
Thank God and Greyhound you're gone!
Chuck, you're probably right. I wonder where Roy got it?
Les
You know how to play golf on the violin? Incredible. Play us a few bars of the 19th Hole Overture.
Peter:->
Post Edited (11-17-04 23:24)
Well, there it is, we've got off track so soon. Can I take your Roy calrk to help show myself haow to tell if the line I just write sounnds like it should be written to a high class Englishman ofthe 17th Century or as a part of a new lyrics as sung by Cyndi Louper?
:-)
I'd a thought we'd a got to the Five Keys by now rahter than to Mr. Clark's vocalizations. They had soul.
Peter
Post Edited (11-17-04 19:19)
Peter, I play the violin about as well as I golf. But according to this website, it should be pretty easy to pick up.
[www.brainyencyclopedia.com] />
Les
" what did you do for freedom today? " Google leaves out the words "what" and "for".
Huh?
[tinyurl.com] />
See also Google's Advanced Search to better isolate the queries.
[www.google.com] />
[www.google.com]