2009.07.04
Crockett: JFK did not misspeak
JFK did not misspeak
Roger Crockett
Crockett is a professor of German at Washington and Lee University in Lexington.
As Kathleen and Paul Zweifel correctly pointed out in their letter, "Kennedy speech contained a gaffe" (June 30), German does not use the indefinite article in predicate nominative situations when referring to nationalities, religious affiliations or professions. This does not mean, however, that President Kennedy was incorrect in his usage of the phrase.
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so?
Comment by pammala — July 4, 2009 @ 9:55 am
Thank you Professor Crockett! I think if it was "important" enough for a snarky commentary from Kathleen and Paul Zweifel, it certainly was "important" enough for a clarification. I do not speak nor understand German so the explanation is appreciated and presents facts I was unaware of.
It is laughable that we are chided and reminded that we should stop discussing the Bush/Cheney reign when some are still kicking Kennedy.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — July 4, 2009 @ 10:28 am
Even though i am not a Democrate. i think kennedy was a great
president.
To bad his party has gone so far left, today he would be considered a moderate Republican.
At least we have stuck to our platform.
Comment by herb krebs — July 4, 2009 @ 11:01 am
"so?"
Comment by pammala
Do you speak any languages?
Have you ever felt that it might be desirable to learn one?
Comment by Ed H — July 4, 2009 @ 3:41 pm
yes I do ED H, does it matter to you so much just because I didnt think the article was a big deal..you should have so little to worry about. I am fluent in Spanish, French, Latin and German.
Comment by pammala — July 4, 2009 @ 7:03 pm
So you are fluent in German, therefore knew that the previous commentary was a continued manufacturing for purposes of insult which justified the corrective answer offered for the rest of us and still felt the need for a snarky, "so"? pammala, I do not understand you or your point in many threads, so I will just ask, straight up, what is it you come here for? I do not mean that in a disrespectful way, I am truly trying to understand. Thanks.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — July 5, 2009 @ 11:52 am
I think I first heard the "I am a jelly donut" comment when I was about 5. Many years ago. I couldn't tell if the Zweifels thought they were breaking new ground or not.
Comment by Kristen — July 5, 2009 @ 12:19 pm
How long ago did that happen? If we wanted to nitpick over language, why not the humorous incident where Sec'y of State Clinton handed the Russians the "overload" button.
It's not like we had lunch with the Pope then called him the "dog's bollocks".
Comment by Ed S. — July 5, 2009 @ 12:47 pm
I think Kennedy spoke in Berlin in 1962 or thereabouts. In the almost 40 years since then, the "I am a jelly donut" business has been more than adequately covered.
Comment by Kristen — July 5, 2009 @ 3:33 pm
it wasnt meant as SNARKY, sandi, why do you always jump to the wrong conclusion...all I said was I wasnt interested in the article and so stated my opinion...'so'...is that a freekin crime now my god you are the intolerant one..and yes, ,I did not think it was that big a deal but rather an honest mistake, SO?"??
Comment by pammala — July 5, 2009 @ 4:00 pm
How does someone else doing the same thing you do -- stating their opinion -- make them "intolerant"?
Comment by Ed H — July 5, 2009 @ 4:24 pm
I haven't heard the one about the "overload button".
There was a spectacular mishap with Jimmy Carter in Warsaw. In his opening speech, he said something to the effect, "When I left the United States to come here, it was with the hope of helping the Polish people achieve their desires for the future...."
His interpreter put it in Polish as: "When I deserted the United States... their sexual lusts for the future...."
The Polish president and prime minister were caught on camera turning their eyes sideways to look at each other, deadpan. Later, Carter was seen talking to the interpreter who was described as "frozen in fear". A commentator remarked "The Poles are telling American jokes tonight."
Comment by Ed H — July 5, 2009 @ 4:33 pm
Perhaps "so" is an adequate response and not seen as "snarky" in some realms, I will grant you that. But I was asking you the question to better understand IF that was what you meant and to offer you the opportunity to explain why it was not "snarky". That I "always jump to the wrong conclusion" is your opinion and not, in my experience the correct one. No, your reply was indeed expected and therefore not "a freekin crime", simply a confirmation. Yes, I freely admit there is much I do not tolerate.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — July 5, 2009 @ 4:55 pm
You're fine, Pammala. Some people will argue if you say the sky is blue.
Comment by The Professor — July 5, 2009 @ 6:45 pm
Missed this thread due to being out of town over the holiday. Being somewhat fluent in English and knowing a little German, I'm always surprised at the gyrations self-proclaimed experts go through trying to explain this mistake. The simple English equivalent is the difference between saying, "I am a Danish," or "I am Danish."
Comment by Bill Bestpitch — July 7, 2009 @ 3:21 pm
One of the most widespread riddles in the world:
Q. What do you call a person who speaks three languages?
A. Trilingual.
Q. What do you call a person who speaks two languages?
A. Bilingual.
Q. What do you call a person who speaks only one language?
A. American.
Comment by Ed H — July 7, 2009 @ 3:34 pm