When Bobbie Campbell Gets Carried Away

Although not a student of Kent University myself I do occasionally visit this site, a friend having recommended it to me. On e recent visit I came upon Bobbie Campbell’s When Writers Get Carried Away and feeling personally slighted somewhat by its content, decided a short response was in order.

The catalyst for Campbell’s tirade seems to be the writings of one J. L. Cranfield and I can appreciate this view for though I rather enjoy Cranfield’s efforts, I suppose that at times his style is a tad reminiscent of Will Self’s impenetrable ramblings. However, to say that Campbell has overreacted to this is something of an understatement.

In the essay Bobbie draws attention to Cranfield’s use of such words as ‘thusly’ and ‘receptacle’. Why, of course. ‘Receptacle’ is positively archaic, as dead as Latin. Come on now, Bobbie. Receptacle and thusly for that matter, are perfectly comprehensible, everyday words and in some cases quite necessary. To my mind ‘receptacle’ sounds so much neater than ‘object-into-which-other-objects-are-received-or-stored’ but maybe that’s just me. You also mention that when reading Cranfield’s pieces you find yourself constantly reaching for the dictionary. Surely that’s no bad thing. I keep a dictionary at my bedside for those very occasions when whilst reading, I discover a word that is new to me. Improving one’s vocabulary is never a bad thing.

Far from “getting carried away”, Mr. Cranfield merely seems to be utilising the English language as best he can. You [B. Campbell] say that you love reading which naturally I’m pleased to hear but surely one of the most beneficial aspects of this pursuit is the strengthening of one’s grasp on the English language. Instead of condemning Mr. Cranfield you may do well to learn from him.

By D. Diedrich

Copyright October 2005