Build / arguably nothing more than

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Hi teachers,Until recently, Japan's debt - the total of all annual budget deficits - was allowed to build thanks to the coutnry's unique market conditions.  With 95 percent of the national debt held by Japanese, increased government borrowing from its own citizens was arguably nothing more than a domestic transfer.1.  Does "build" mean "to increase" or "to build up"?2. Does "nothing more than" mean "merely"?3. What is "arguably" mean?Thank you.Tinanam

Avangi · Accepted Answer

tinanam0102Until recently, Japan's debt - the total of all annual budget deficits - was allowed to build thanks to the coutnry's unique market conditions. With 95 percent of the national debt held by Japanese, increased government borrowing from its own citizens was arguably nothing more than a domestic transfer.

1. Does "build" mean "to increase" or "to build up"? It means both - to [allow to] accumulate.

2. Does "nothing more than" mean "merely"? Yes.

3. What is does "arguably" mean? There's more than one way to look at it. Opinions may vary.

Tinanam0102 · Answer

Hi Avangi,

Thank you for your explanation.

For the last part, my understanding is that it is a domestic transfer (positive), but with "arguably" as an adverb, I could not be sure it still means "positively" a domestic transfer. I have trouble reading sentences like these, for example double negatives actually mean positive.

Am I understanding this pattern correctly?

Thanks

Tinanam

Avangi · Answer

tinanam0102Am I understanding this pattern correctly?

Yes. (I agree it seems a little convoluted.)

tinanam0102[It] was arguably nothing more than a domestic transfer.

This means that it was indeed a domestic transfer (positive, as you say),
but it also means that it was ONLY a domestic transfer, and nothing more.
The use of "arguably" suggests that others may disagree with this statement.

Since the statement has two aspects (what it is, and what it is not), we can't be sure exactly where he means the hedge to come in. My inclination is that he feels others may argue that it is more than just a domestic transfer.

She is arguably the best student in the class. This is a positive statement with a hedge.

It allows, for example, that someone may argue that she's not the best student; becausealthough she has the best marks, she's very shy and doesn't contribute in class, and she doesn't participate in extra-curricular activities. (Does not play well with others!)

The speaker is aware of this weakness in his statement!

Tinanam0102 · Answer

Hi Avangi,

I now understand it very clearly.

Have a good day.

Tinanam

Build / arguably nothing more than

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