Hi, Ardith Hinton!
I read your message from  06.04.2018 12:58
about "the" o "a".


 ak>> I guess that it is the way how words change their meaning or get
 ak>> additional ones. People who know the word poorly may use it in
 ak>> their own way. If such people are heard by many the new meaning
 ak>> begins to live its own life.
 AH> Unfortunately, yes....

 ak>> And the dictionary has no choice but to add the new entry.
 AH> As Dallas says, most English/English dictionaries nowadays add such
 AH> entries. Another example from music is "classical", which we both
 AH> recognize as a particular style dating from about 1750-1800 but
 AH> many others don't. There is also the word "argument" from English
 AH> class, and (as you've seen elsewhere) the geographical
 AH> name "Holland". In the "real world" I must understand what others
 AH> mean, even if I wouldn't put it that way myself... and there's
 AH> where I may want the dictionary to help me out. I realize the
 AH> English language has changed over time & will continue to do so,
 AH> but I see much of its power & beauty being lost.

But speaking objectively English always has been like it.

 ak>> From another side: can we make the confrontation stronger? If it
 ak>> can become stronger we can escalate it, as we can escalate any
 ak>> crisis.

 AH> As I see it the noun "confrontation" is derived from the verb "[to]
 AH> confront", which means to face up to & deal with a problem. How
 AH> people do that varies widely. But when I compare dictionaries I see
 AH> e.g. "face with hostility or violence" entering the list of
 AH> definitions for the verb & creeping closer to the top. One must
 AH> always remember that it's not in the best interests of those who
 AH> sell "news" to fight such trends if the audience wants to assume
 AH> the worst.

Although "con" means the negative position:  "an appraisal of the pros and
cons". "Front" means a border. So, maybe. we can think of a negative
opposition.

<skipped>
 ak>> I should read more good books. ;-)

 AH> When you quoted an excerpt from IVANHOE, I thought the language was
 AH> wonderful... that was what inspired me to read the book for myself.
 AH> But it's a rip-roaring good adventure story too, for those who want
 AH> lots of action.

Yes. a rare, nice book. Another book I like as much is the trilogy of Captain
Blood adventures, by Rafael Sabatini.

 AH> I look forward to seeing more citations like that... [chuckle].

Well, it is in case if I continue reading bad paper articles. 

Bye, Ardith!
Alexander KoryaginENGLISH_TUTOR 2018

--- Paul's Win98SE VirtualBox
 * Origin: Quinn's Post - Maryborough, Queensland, OZ (3:640/384)