So?

I think that some words evolve to serve a meta-punctuation purpose in the language.

I suspect that even phrases like "um" and "uh" convey information.

If these words had no purpose, then nobody would use them!
 
I think Spanish has something close. But Americans (USA) are 'click word' oriented: like, man, dude, random, all have replaced previous versions (bitchin', cool); 'so' is a pause word now (it used to mean; therefore) that also has a slight connotation of confrontation (e.i. so, what's the big deal).
 
Roger Hicks said:
Bob,

First, thanks to those who attempted to answer my question. I didn't know that nu meant 'so', though I did know that nu peppers Yiddish (and Yinglish) like tak peppers Russian and reyba (I think that's the spelling, though it's pronounced 'rewa') peppers Tibetan. And the idea that 'So...' implies an ongoing conversation is intriguing.

Now to address your reply.

I posted the original question at about 10 pm.

Thus far today (roughly in the order I did them) I started out by making a couple of revisions to a novel I hope to sell, co-written with Aditi. After that I worked on an article for one of the magazines I write for. Then I drove 50 miles or so round-trip to Chinon to take Frances in for a check-up on the cataract surgery she had on Monday (all going fine). I've done (with her) the shopping for friends who are coming to stay next week-end. I've helped her prepare the house somewhat for the guests. I've cleared up the garage somewhat to make it easier to work there. I've transferred the controls and clutch release mechanism from one Land Rover gearbox to another, and part stripped the old gearbox. I've shared cooking dinner with Frances. (Being a perfect wife, she did the washing up).

Oh; and since I got back from the Rencontres at Arles, a week before taking Frances in for the cataract surgery (60 miles away in Tours) I've been going through several hundred pictures I shot at Arles, as well as the ones I shot on Bastille Day.

At this point, your exhortation begins to look a tiny bit patronizing. I'm interested in language, and I've had a couple of excellent answers to an innocent question asked as a form of relaxation after a hectic day and indeed a hectic couple of months (tour of Southern and Central Europe in May-June, Arles in early July, Frances in hospital earlier this week, quite apart from the writing and working on the web-site).

Why don't you go and take some pictures? What's your excuse?

Cheers,

Roger
Click to expand...

So maybe I'll do that Roger.

Bob
 
I bet John Ciardi could answer that question. He is frequently on NPR discussing the origins and usage of words. More importantly, he is pompous enough to act authoritatively on things that are quite trivial to most normal folks.
 
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I have started posts and threads with "So..." specifically because I consider RFF to be an ongoing conversation. And I am using it as something of a signal for an interjection. Likely incorrect but Mrs. Banks (my 7th grade English teacher) is no longer around for me to ask.
Rob
 
But what is even more curious, to me at least, is why people type, "I got me a new ...". Odd, to say the least.
 
Gumby said:
But what is even more curious, to me at least, is why people type, "I got me a new ...". Odd, to say the least.
Click to expand...

Sometimes (granted, not always) people use improper, colloquial, or childish language, grammar, or spelling on purpose. It's a way of having fun with language, don'tcha know?

Those people who get annoyed by imperfect language when the meaning is perfectly clear, may have issues.

;)
 
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Gumby said:
But what is even more curious, to me at least, is why people type, "I got me a new ...". Odd, to say the least.
Click to expand...

It is fairly annoying. I'd much rather they said/typed, "I got you a new...":D
As odd as it reads, I'm not sure that it is actually wrong though.
Rob
 
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