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Perlocutionary -Friday’s Word of the Day

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Today’s word of the day on dictionary.com is a whopper, and therefore quite the challenge when constrained by the limited syllable budget of a Haiku. I shall nevertheless give it its due. Perlocutionary is an adjective that describes a type of speech that persuades, enlightens, inspires, frightens, or amuses the listener, causing them to act. Philosopher, J.L. Austin explains it perfectly in this excerpt from “How to Do Things with Words”, written in 1962: “We can similarly distinguish the locutionary act ‘he said that’ …from the illocutionary act ‘he argued that’…and the perlocutionary act ‘he convinced me that’…”

The word perlocution has been around since the 16th century originally meaning the act of speaking. It basis was formed from the Latin locutio, “speech, speaking, discourse”, a derivative of the verb loqui, “to speak”. Its present iteration as a noun and adjective did not enter the English language until the 20th century with the addition of the prefix ‘per’ meaning “through, complete or perfect” (as in brought to completion).

I learned that there are stages in the application of locutionary, illocutionary and perlocutionary acts. While it would seem that the latter is the more refined direct act of the three I was surprised to discover that, in fact, infants between the age of 0-8 months are masters in the art of perlocutionary discourse through the use of sounds and gestures. Every whimper, coo and cry has an affect on the hearer, causing them to act. Eventually the child begins to repeat actual words (locutionary acts) and to apply them with meaning as in the words “no” or “why” (illocutionary acts).

It’s all very interesting of course. And way over my head. I have rarely bothered myself to determine whether a speech or statement is locutionary, illocutionary or perlocutionary, but I do admit to being moved and swayed by words. A simple cry for help raises my adrenaline and propels me into help mode. And a temper tantrum can shut me down in no time flat.

We are so easily convinced by words. I doubt that I’ll take time to analyze the words that move me, next time it happens. Even though I now have a word for it. Perlocutionary acts…my biggest challenge at the moment is figuring out how to fit a six syllable word into a Haiku. But at least now you have a new word to file in your vocabulary drawer under “words that are nice to know”.😊

words of gloom and doom,
perlocutionary acts,
drive fools to folly

~kat

http://www.dictionary.com/wordoftheday/2017/10/20/perlocutionary


Fallen

For MindLoveMiserysMenagerie’s Sunday Writing Prompt: to write a piece launched by this quote from Sherlock Holmes (the series):

Oh, I may be on the side of the angels, but don’t think for one second that I am one of them …..

Seventy times seven, blah, blah, blah. Have you ever done the math? I have. 490. That’s it. At this point I have more than fulfilled my quota of this mandate to forgive. Besides, I don’t see anyone standing in line to forgive me for existing. In fact, the hits keep coming, if you know what I mean. Here are a few gems from that hit list…

“Love the sinner, hate the sin…You know we love you. We just don’t agree with your lifestyle choices….You could change if you wanted to…You have an agenda…Stop flaunting your sexuality…It’s just a phase…You don’t deserve special rights…It’s because of you we have earthquakes, hurricanes, floods…the plague (I wish I was that powerful)…You’re an abomination…God hates you…You’re going to hell (kinda thought I was already there)…and my personal favorite; the one that rips through me like a hot poker through butter…I’m praying for you.

Please don’t. I’m trying to forgive you. I’m trying to not judge you. I’m trying to love you, but you make it so difficult.

Because there’s this too. “Love your enemies… If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.” I fall short everyday. But that doesn’t mean I don’t keep trying; 490 times 490 times and counting.

One day I’ll get it right. In the meantime I am well aware of my flaws and weaknesses. I’m no angel…but neither are you.

And there I go again. Judging you for judging me. I guess that’s why we need practice at this forgiveness thing. I should have just said, “I’m no angel” and left it at that.

~kat


Shi Sai Sunday’s Week in ReVerse – 17 September 2017

How do I love thee, life? I count the ways as if naming each thing might offer me a line to grasp; to anchor me in place when the recognizable signs start to slip away.

Those moments when darkness descends, there is you, tiny candle, sucking up air, consuming the wick, calling me home. When people are unkind, there is a smile and a gentle touch to remind me all is not lost. When there is suffering, and unimaginable loss in the wake of the storm, there is you, sweet, audacious nature, showing me that life goes on again and again with each passing season. Life goes on.

How do I love thee, life? With every breath I take of the air that I share with all things living. Though I am but a speck of dust, I have not surrendered myself to ash. I am an ember still, capable of warmth; a flicker of amber. Like autumn’s fading rose clings to the vine in sweetness, I cling to you, life. How precious each moment is. How precious you are.

Shi Sai Sunday’s Week in ReVerse – 17 September 2017

she is not broken
the last few years had been hell
if you can call this living
when terror descended / when hatred triumphed
in a world so divided
the muse plays her heart
shades of gray
offering but a glimpse inside
It was true.
No one tells you it’s the little things that rip through your heart
impress anonymously
become self-serving
But it was revenge
between dusk and dawn
they can save us…if
like ice melting
it is all madness

~kat

A shi sai or ReVerse poem is a summary poem with a single line lifted from each entry of a collection of work over a particular timeframe and re-penned in chronological order as a new poem. Unlike a collaborative poem, the shi sai features the words of one writer, providing a glimpse into their thoughts over time. I use it as a review of the previous week.


Twittering Tale #49 – 12 September 2017

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About the challenge: Each Tuesday I will provide a photo prompt. Your mission, if you choose to accept the challenge, is to tell a story based on that prompt in 140 characters or less. Be sure to let me know in the comments with a link to your tale.

A final note: if you need help tracking the number of characters in your story, there is a nifty online tool that will count for you at charactercountonline.com.

I will do a roundup each Tuesday, along with providing a new prompt. Have Fun!

Twittering Tale #48 – The Roundup

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Coffee Shop from “Free Images on Pixabay.com

Starting us off, my twittering tale:

“Get whatever Gramps. I’m payin’.”
“A coffee, please.”
“Decaf? Dark roast? Cream? Soy? Sugar or…?
“Good god! COFFEE! Black. Do you have that?
(140 Characters)

From Kathryn at Another Foodie Blogger:
Opening day, one minute past. What if nobody comes? I’ll rearrange this, or maybe that. Ding! I turn around. “Welcome to Kat’s Koffee!”
(136 Characters)

From Reena at ReInventions:
“All coffee shops look the same.”
“They leave different impressions on the mind, depending on what happened there.”
“Yeah ….. some become markers in the book of life.”
(140 characters)

From Michael at Morpethroad:
Coffee black, no milk or sugar
Not too hot or my lips will burn
how will she kiss me
with scorched lips
so do your bit
so I can do mine. Yes? 
(137 characters)

From Di at Pensitivity101:
The Exhibition
‘What’s he doing?’

‘Making coffee. It took about 2 minutes in those days.’
‘Take me to the replicator. It takes 2 seconds.’
(Including the title, 135 characters)

From Lady Lee at Lady Lee Manila:
So nervous
A cup of coffee, please
Milk, no sugar
Keep the change
A man with a book
That’s him
My blind date
Hope it goes well
(119 characters)

From Fandango at This, That, and the Other:
Got here before the morning rush. I’ll be the first one served. Do you want your usual double shot caramel macchiato? Text me back, okay?
(137 characters)

From Bobby at Writing, events, competitions and even some self-penned bits:
Excuse me, I’ve been here ten minutes now, any chance of dropping what you’re doing and serving me, what sort of coffee-shop is this?
137 characters

From Peter at Peter’s Ponderings:
The star trooper teleported out of danger but now found himself overlooking a strange world with ten moons. A bitter smell pervaded the air.
(140 characters)

From Leena at Through My Heart Web:
God,No More Co-incdnces Plz
(At Cfe Shp)
YOU!Not Agn
Made In Heaven Cpl.We Gt Maried Den Divrcd n 3Blind Dates 2gtr
He Laughd,She Joined Him too
(140 Characters)

From Francine at Woman Walks Dog:
I’m Ed its my diner
Mornings its mums
lunch guys from the garage
evenings teens
nights I open the sneak door for the Vampire Club, go home
Dunno what they do No blood here

From Willow at WillowDot21:
The plush coffee bar had a special buzz. Alejandro the sexy  Barista was always there with a smile and a”The usual?” Until one day he wasn’t.

From Gayl at Words, Photos and Art:
Musings from a Coffee Shop – Four Tales from Gayl!
Coffee or Not?
The usual, please.
Must relax. Calm down.
New boss comes today.
Yikes! He’s here already!
On second thought, maybe coffee’s not the best…
(138 characters)

A Place of Remembrance
My favorite place! I remember how we laughed, talked and cried together.
Oh, how I miss you, my beloved friend. Now I’m alone, wondering why.
(140 characters)

First Job
Blender whirring, coffee brewing, new flavors.
Baristas rushing. Smiling at customers both crabby and kind.
Her first job. She loved it all!
(139 characters)

Lasting Friendships
Five friends talk amidst
Aromas of fresh coffee
Missing one who died

Each month gathering
Sharing joys and trials here
Sisters joined by God
(135 characters)

From Hayley at The Story Files:
Autumn Coffee
She started popping into coffee shops again just to see the menu. By the second week, all her favourite drinks appeared. Frequently, she sat and tasted autumn over and over again.

From Kalpana at Gemini in the Sky:
Serving coffee was a ploy.
She warned him to be careful. He ignored. A car hit him.Her prognosis never failed.She practiced tasseography.

I loved your tales this past week. Coffee shops are such fun places. Who knew so much happened in coffee shops! Thanks for joining the challenge this week.

Found a beautiful photo on Pexels.com by Tim Savage for our challenge this week. I have spent a fair amount of time in humble motels in my life. I even lived for a summer in a motel. I was 12…my family was homeless. when I do get a chance to travel, I try to find a lovely place to stay. Nothing too wildly extravagant. I still can’t afford that kind of luxury. But a nice hotel, with indoor entries and grand hallways like the one in the photo. Every now and again it’s nice to treat ourselves. Hotels are interesting places. I like to imagine the stories that happen behind the closed doors. Aside from lovers and honeymooners, there are families on vacation, business travelers who spend more time on the road than home, people taking a break from their lives…behind every door, a story. What’s yours?

I’ve worked hard my whole life, so when I do get a chance to travel, I save up and try to find a lovely place to stay. Nothing too wildly extravagant. I still can’t afford that kind of luxury. But a nice hotel, with indoor entries and grand hallways like the one in the photo. Hotels are interesting places. I like to imagine the stories that are happening behind the closed doors. Aside from the obvious lovers and honeymooners, there are families on vacation, business travelers who spend more time on the road than home, people taking a break from their lives, a secret stakeout, ghosts caught forever between two worlds, people passing through town or staying for a day or two to attend weddings, births, graduations, funerals. Behind every door, a story. What’s yours?

Twittering Tale #49 – 12 September 2017

Wilmington DE © @timsavage

Photo by Tim Savage at Pexels.com

The last few years had been hell. Before the end, he planned a trip for her; luxury hotel, spa appointments. The only thing missing was him.
(140 Characters)

~kat


Fossick – Friday’s Word of the Day

Fossick is today’s word of the day at Dictionary.com. It’s an Aussie word…as in primarily used and originating in Australia. It means to hunt; seek; ferret out and is also a mining term that means to undermine another’s digging; search for waste gold in relinquished workings, washing places, etc.

Dictionary.com explains: The verb fossick is confined pretty much to Australia and New Zealand. As with many regional and dialect words, its etymology is unclear: the verb seems to be a regional British term fussock, fursick meaning “to fuss, fidget, bustle.” In Australia and New Zealand fossick originally meant to hunt for gold or other precious metals or precious stones by digging with a knife or by studying the ground for overlooked fragments. Fossick has an additional sense of hunting for or foraging for small items e.g., to fossick through a drawer for scissors. Fossick entered English in the 19th century.

Did you know that there is an entire tourist industry devoted to fossicking in Australia? Intrepid explorers need a license to fossick, and there are a number of rules and responsibilities to be followed. But for those who choose to plan for a day of fossicking on their itinerary, there are is treasure waiting to be found.

Australia has a long history when it comes to fossicking. Depending on the site, fossickers may find a treasure trove of gems including opals, topaz, garnets, diamonds, sapphires, zircon, and gold. There are designated areas devoted to the pastime. Here’s a LINK to learn more.

So, I’ve learned something new. Who knew fossicking was a thing? Apparently the Aussies knew! I guess you had to be there…down under, that is!

Have a great weekend. Happy fossicking! A few Haiku…

seasoned fossickers
are ferreting gold-diggers
treasure ‘midst rubble

tourists down-under
plan fossicking excursions
for nuggets of gold

dusty nooks, cluttered,
second-hand tomes to fossick
where book mongers swoon

~kat