Tuesday, July 7, 2020

A linguistic irritant XXIII

While I'm all for giving credit where it's due, there's a way not to attribute a quote on the radio.  In the '90s, I would listen occasionally to an AM radio call-in show about computers.  When calls weren't coming in, the host would fill time by reading parts of computer-themed articles.  Whenever he would quote someone, he'd say, for instance, "Braxton Marsupial, CEO of This Here Computer, said, quote, 'Anyone who hasn't bought a PC yet because of the price should hang in there.  Prices for new PCs should drop considerably this Fall,' unquote."

From an intellectual property standpoint, I appreciated the host leaving no doubt where someone else's words started and ended.  Saying "quote" and "unquote," however, makes for ear-stabbing radio.  It's smoother to just attribute the quote, say it, and follow up with, "I agree (or disagree) because...," when appropriate.