syntax

[Charles Doyle]

That's the kind of ambiguity that lends itself to Wilson Gray's "joning."  A while back, a list was circulating on the internet (or maybe office copiers) of suggested statements to use in letters of recommendations: for example, "I cannot praise Mr. Smith's work too highly," or "You will be most fortunate if Miss Brown agrees to work for you."  Simultaneous compliments and insults (though certainly unintentional in the case of the Irish blurb).

--Charlie
____________________________________________

---- Original message ----
>Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2006 16:08:52 -0400
>From: Beverly Flanigan <flanigan at OHIO.EDU>
>Subject: syntax
>To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
>
>A curious sentence on a tourist site about Ireland:  "County Donegal - Not many people would argue that Donegal has the finest scenery in the whole of Ireland."  Does this mean (logically) that "not many people would argue with the claim that ..." or (implausibly) that "not many people would make the claim that ..."?  Does this kind of elision happen often?
>
>Beverly Flanigan

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