Posted by Jeremy Kriewaldt on January 05, 2001 at 22:06:49 from 198.142.200.250:
In Reply to: Coot Club and other AR studies - a plea posted by Peter Hyland on January 05, 2001 at 21:18:40:
I agree with the note of caution in Peter's observation. However, I would not like to see an end to the kind of exercise that Ed has engaged in. They are fun and even if AR had not intended the changes in usage or vocab that are often involved in them, they can be revealing both as to the subtle richness of English and as to the unconscious effects of language on meaning.
The important message in Peter's note is that we have to remember that this is fun. While eternal life may turn on the interpretation of a Biblical passage (although the God I believe in is less worried about this than some would have you believe!!)and much wealth and happiness may depend on the construction of legal documents, AR is neither. So let's enjoy the speculations, we may all discover something, but let's not imagine that there is anything more than enjoyment at stake.