21: This Language!

This language!

I’ve spoken before about the difficulties i have with the English language - which is hard enough for human beans - and nearly impossible for dogs.

Another example that cropped up recently is the word ‘season’. I have been used to hearing that until recently in relation to my reproductive cycle. (There goes another example -  I  never got to ride my reproductive cycle)..   My beans would say things like “She’s coming in to season”.

However since my recent operation (‘spaying’) they don’t say it anymore.

(I think I might become an advertising copywriter when I grow up  - dreaming up memorable phrases like “Spay it - don’t say it!”)

However,  I digress.

‘Season’ now appears to mean something quite different - relating to a period of the year. We are moving, evidently, from a season known as ‘summer’ to one known as  ‘winter’.  (I thought ‘summer’ was a snake - another name for an adder.)

And just when I was getting used to this new  interpretation of ‘season’, TOWTLH started talking about ‘seasoning’ in relation to food.

English has 26 symbols or letters in normal usage.  The number of possible combinations and permutations must be almost limitless. (I would ask Brian but his maths course has been put in abeyance because of the  pandemic.)  

So, why do humans re-use words so often when they could simply invent another one. Once when talking about this, TOWTLH (who watches a lot of programmes on BBC4 and is quite knowledgeable about lots of subjects) suggested that some combinations cannot be used because they are unpronounceable - but this has never bothered the Welsh.

(If you’ll forgive me another diversion from the subject … TOWTSH rarely watches BBC4 - he watches a lot of sport.  When TOWTLH is pontificating (something to do with the Pope, I think) about some complex concept or historical event, he just asks her to explain the offside rule - and claims a moral victory when she can’t).

Now, where was I?

Oh yes …. ‘season’. My grandfather was an old ‘seadog’ and used to tell my uncle “Its a hard life on the ocean wave. Never go to sea, son …. but I guess the comma (the little squiggle between ‘sea’ and ‘son’) renders that one OK.

I’m sure I shall return to the vagaries of the English language in the future (you should realise that you are in the presence of a very rare dog -  one who understands the passing of time - and the concept of ‘future’ beyond the next meal.)  but for now I’m going to sign off and go one a crumb hunt.

Footnote:

 Gina's Dog Blog has been selected as one of the Top 200 Dog Blogs on the web.