Re: E-prime -an interesting article.

From: J. R. Molloy (jr@shasta.com)
Date: Mon Oct 11 1999 - 14:38:06 MDT


>--- "M. E. Smith" <mesmith@rocketmail.com> wrote:
>"A fetus is a human."
>
>Could easily be translated to E-prime as:
>
>"A fetus has the same rights as a human."
>
>Would E-prime really help much?

Actually, this example presents a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the
merit of E-prime.

The verb "to be" often connotes an equation or identity, as your sentence
about a fetus illustrates. But, of course a fetus does not equal a human. It
seems to me that switching to E-prime handily reminds us that a fetus can
become a human, so that we don't slip into equating a fetus with a human.

When does a fetus become a human? When it votes Libertarian, naturally!

Cheers,

--J. R. Molloy
http://www.shasta.com/jr



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