The nuance of language is a curious and important element of communication both in speech and in written forms. It is usually indicative of a good sense and understanding of the language. Some speech forms are ubiquitous, and, while I stand to be corrected, I do not think it is a case of regional difference and understanding that the following explanatory form is used locally, in the way it is. Dare I say it, I think it is lazy, it is easy to use, but I believe, it is ambiguous.
Many local traders have, what I find, a disconcerting habit of occasionally shutting up shop, putting notices up on their doors that suggest something negative has occurred.
I can fully understand and sympathise with;
"Due to unforeseen circumstances we have had to close this week."
"Due to illness, the shop has closed early."
But...
"Closed this afternoon from 1pm due to Jamestown Scottish Highland Games."
"The Beauty salon will be closed on Saturday afternoon due to a pamper party."
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6 comments:
Quite right! It would be correct and honest to say that the shop is closed for the Highland Games, or for the pamper party.
Both good reasons to close, though. ;)
Hello Vincent,
Thank you for your observations, they are spot on, and certainly a use of language I would be content with.
I put the use of adjectival phrasing, instead of the simple use of a preposition, down to the insinuation of the mostly 'misguided' polemical compressed headline styles that have entered our visual use of language.
Ooh yay,Jennyta!! excellent reasons for restricting additional shop premises business, and in one instance, probably expanding it to a captive society at The Games. I just wish the nuance of the business notices would be happier about doing it with a minor correction of the use of language.
:)
Sadly proper language use, even in simple ways, both spoken and written continues to deteriorate noticeably.
Flighty xx
Hi Mr F,
I wonder how people really notice the changes in the uses of language and how many understand the skewed nuances the incorrect use of language causes.
XX
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