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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Linguistics Studies

Choices, choices!

This question was asked and, somewhat answered, by Gabe Doyle, linguist:



How do speakers choose among the various ways an idea can be expressed?




I’m hungry.

I feel hungry.

I hunger.

I want to eat.

Eating would be wise.


I desire food.

I need to eat.

I am peckish.

Food, I want it!

I’m starving!

Feed me!

I need something to eat.

My tummy is rumbling.

I could stand to eat something.



I’d like some food.

My stomach is growling.

I’m going to grab some food.

http://idiom.ucsd.edu/~gdoyle/papers/bls08-envproto.pdf

How would you choose?

  

Top answer

I usually write the possible options on little pieces of paper, then I put them in my baseball cap, and pick one at random. I also include one special piece of paper where I write "Congratulations! ".

— Kooyeen

  • I usually write the possible options on little pieces of paper, then I put them in my baseball cap, and pick one at random.
  • I also include one special piece of paper where I write "Congratulations!
  • ".
  • If I pick that one up, I can choose my prize between an ice-cream, the Playboy mansion, or Obama girl.
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2 Answers
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I usually write the possible options on little pieces of paper, then I put them in my baseball cap, and pick one at random. I also include one special piece of paper where I write "Congratulations! You win!". If I pick that one up, I can choose my prize between an ice-cream, the Playboy mansion, or Obama girl.
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<I usually write the possible options on little pieces of paper, .>

Copied out of your pedagogical grammar book, right?
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