Anid Maro
May 6th, 2008, 06:50 AM
Written language is rather inadequate for certain endeavors. For example: Sarcasm.
Sure with the right context one can determine whether or not a statement is sarcastic. This would be perhaps in the form of a rather grounded and coherent paragraph ended with an incredulous statement. Or just a completely absurd statement no matter the context.
I however, as a frequently sarcastic individual, don't wish my sarcasm to be weighted down by either a lengthly backstory nor a hamfisted ridiculousness. So what is one to do?
In the Ethiopian language there is a symbol known as the "Sarcasm Mark" or "Temherte Slaq". This unfortunately, bears a strong resemblance to an upside down exclamation point. And since I don't wish to be mistaken for an over-enthusiastic Spaniard (or Mexican, as the case may be in California), that option is right out.
But wait? What is this? In a wikipedia entry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcasm_mark) it is stated that were there a "sarcasm mark" in English it would bear a certain resemblance to the French "Irony Mark (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irony_mark)".
And what do you know, that very irony mark bears a rather strong resemblance to a certain Arabic character (e.g. "؟") and happens to have fallen into disuse. So not only can I appropriate this mark for sarcasm, but ironically this ironic mark is being used for a purpose other than irony (oh irony, how I love thee).
So from henceforth, in a stroke of swerved genius (swerve incidentally, is that sweet spot between "buzzed" and "drunk"), I have stolen this symbol for use as a sarcasm indicator and have included a small link in my signature.
Since I've wasted your time reading this story about my (less than) ingenious appropriation of an undefined mark, I figured I might ask...
What additional kinds of punctuation is the English language in dire need of?
Sure with the right context one can determine whether or not a statement is sarcastic. This would be perhaps in the form of a rather grounded and coherent paragraph ended with an incredulous statement. Or just a completely absurd statement no matter the context.
I however, as a frequently sarcastic individual, don't wish my sarcasm to be weighted down by either a lengthly backstory nor a hamfisted ridiculousness. So what is one to do?
In the Ethiopian language there is a symbol known as the "Sarcasm Mark" or "Temherte Slaq". This unfortunately, bears a strong resemblance to an upside down exclamation point. And since I don't wish to be mistaken for an over-enthusiastic Spaniard (or Mexican, as the case may be in California), that option is right out.
But wait? What is this? In a wikipedia entry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcasm_mark) it is stated that were there a "sarcasm mark" in English it would bear a certain resemblance to the French "Irony Mark (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irony_mark)".
And what do you know, that very irony mark bears a rather strong resemblance to a certain Arabic character (e.g. "؟") and happens to have fallen into disuse. So not only can I appropriate this mark for sarcasm, but ironically this ironic mark is being used for a purpose other than irony (oh irony, how I love thee).
So from henceforth, in a stroke of swerved genius (swerve incidentally, is that sweet spot between "buzzed" and "drunk"), I have stolen this symbol for use as a sarcasm indicator and have included a small link in my signature.
Since I've wasted your time reading this story about my (less than) ingenious appropriation of an undefined mark, I figured I might ask...
What additional kinds of punctuation is the English language in dire need of?