[Ads-l] Query concerning the removal of "French" from "French horn" (2nd try)

[Cohen, Gerald Leonard]

My first attempt a few minutes ago turned up as gibberish on my computer; here's a second try:



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Yesterday I received a query from a musician in the St. Louis Symphony wondering if the effort of the International Horn Society to remove "French" from "French horn" has any chance of success (answer: probably not) and whether I'm aware of any other attempts to change language (vernacular) by a prescriptive decree or strong recommendation.



The latter question is particularly interesting. Would any of you have examples of vernacular speech being changed by decree/recommendation?



Below my signoff is the message I received, presented here with permission.



Gerald Cohen

P.S. In a follow-up message Mr. Kaza sent me the exact wording pertaining to his society's position on the term "French horn":
"The International Horn Society recommends that HORN be recognized as the correct name for our instrument in the English language." --- [From the Minutes of the First General Meeting, June 15, 1971, Tallahassee, Florida, USA]







________________________________
From: Roger Kaza [kazawolf at gmail.com<mailto:kazawolf at gmail.com>]
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2015 10:23 AM
To: Cohen, Gerald Leonard
Subject: Question from local musician

Dear Dr. Cohen,

<snip> I am a local classical musician doing some research on the name of my instrument, and wondered if you might have a minute to point me in the right direction.

The problem is, my instrument has two names in English: either "French horn," or just "horn." Almost everywhere else in the world it is known by one name, corresponding to horn...corno in Italian, cor in French, horn in German, etc. However, the prefix "French" horn was used in England as far back as the 1600s, for various historical reasons which are well-known. Today, for most people who speak English, it is a much more specific unambiguous term than the generic "horn" which is often use to describe any wind instrument or a jazz band "horn" section.

In 1971 the newly-formed International Horn Society decreed that "horn" should be the official name for our instrument in the English language, and those of us who play it should presumably educate everyone else. However, since that time, nothing has changed, and it is still referred to both ways probably as much as it ever was. Generally, high-culture publications (programs, reviews, orchestra rosters, CDs etc) use "horn" and everyone else uses "French horn." Most dictionaries acknowledge both; Oxford calls "horn" short for "French horn."

My question is this. I am writing a semi-scholarly article for our organization's trade journal, The Horn Call, to explore the issue. I was wondering if you could direct me towards any papers, articles or books which examine attempts to blot out vernacular usage of a particular word, and whether or not this is ever successful, or can be successful. Or any other insights you may have on this issue! I thank you in advance for your help, and can offer you free symphony tickets if you like that sort of thing!

Kindest regards,

Roger Kaza
Principal Horn
St. Louis Symphony



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