So, about this message...

[Charles Doyle]

Nicely put!

Only in the last year or two have I begun noticing on TV that nearly every response to a question from an interviewer or anchorman begins, "Well, . . ."  Has that always been happening?  Now, when an answer DOESN'T begin with "well," it sounds abrupt, curt, blunt, or unthoughtful.

--Charlie
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---- Original message ----
>Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2006 06:17:36 -0700
>From: GLL <guy1656 at OPUSNET.COM>
>Subject: So, about this message...
>To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
>
>
>This use of 'so' may both be as much a new use as it is a new application of an existing tool. I've heard radio ads start with 'so' in the same manner.
>
>The use of 'so' implies a continuation of a current conversation, indicating an extension or a conclusion of a previously established line of reasoning. If indicating a conclusion, 'so' may be used to indicate a shift in the topic: now that [n] had been settled, we can move on to our next agendum.
>
>In advertising, or in the case of someone initiating with 'so,' the speaker is trying to establish more familiarity, and therefore a fuller, more complete, or quicker response. Quickness is impled because the speaker is also implying that the social protocols which establish familiarity and a willingness to interact have already been satisfied.
>
>"You have already authenticated me as a valid speaker and a valid topic - We can now move on to a topic extension or change the subject while retaining the 'OK to talk with' flag."
>
>So, the 'so' ploy is an attempt to override our normal firewalls we employ when a stranger approaches and starts talking. We first try to figure out WHY we should respond: do I *know* this person, is this person a mental defect talking to himself, or maybe he's got a Bluetooth phone in his opposite ear and his words are part of a conversation to which I am not actually  being invited to respond, or perhaps this is a customer service situation and here is my next customer with a question.
>
>This use of 'so' is a bit aggressive, meaning 'I don't want you to waste anyof MY time authenticating me - just start listening to my next topic NOW.'
>
>- G

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