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The last Feedback questionnaire seems to have struck a chord with our readers. Here are two comments:
Dear Adam,
I am happy to receive Australian Style on line – with one exception.
The format for on-line replies to the Feedback items does not always allow sufficient room to explain one's answers, or to add a comment to clarify them.
For example, what I wanted to say on Feedback 33 was that I generally use the intrusive /r/ with all of these – except....
...when I narrate [mostly factual material (reports, newsletters, &c.)] onto tape/disk for those who find the printed word difficult, I often refrain from inserting the intrusive /r/ if I believe that its omission will be make the reading clearer for a listener.
I reckon (but obviously could do with an impartial observer to check on me) that in particular I omit the /r/ where there is none in the spelling, eg. "law-abiding", and also with proper names, eg. "Mr Anderson".
I do not know whether this departure from my normal practice is of assistance or not to those who listen to my narrations.
But I can't fit all that on the usual reply form!
Sincerely,
Gilbert Case
Carseldine
Queensland.
l
Dear Adam,
A useful corrective, that feedback #33! I had been complaining to my wife that too many ABC announcers ran their names into a single name — 'Gray Mabbott', whose programs I like very much, being a good example. So when I saw the question about inserting an 'r' between words I was confident that my score would be low. Alas, I did it every time!
Having confessed, I would add that much would depend on whom I was talking to, and on the context. That might have changed the score a little, but not much, if I'm honest.
Incidentally, I agree with your correspondent last time who said that receiving Australian Style online delayed and reduced her reading. Normally, like her, in the past I would put it on the desk, start reading at once, feel guilty, and get down to some work, then read a bit more. It's taken me a couple of weeks to get round to reading it online, and I've read it all in one hit, which is probably less than it deserves.
Cheers,
Don Aitkin
via email
Please address any thoughts or queries to:
Phone: (02) 9850 8773
Fax: (02) 9850 9199
Email: adam.smith@mq.edu.au
Postal address: Linguistics Department, Macquarie University, N.Ryde, NSW 2109.
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