Comments on: Words http://www.masstransitmag.com/interactive/2008/03/28/words/ Mass Transit's editor, Fred Jandt, speaks weekly on critical issues facing the public transportation industry. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 02:38:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Schuyler http://www.masstransitmag.com/interactive/2008/03/28/words/#comment-3163 Schuyler Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:46:37 +0000 http://www.masstransitmag.com/interactive/2008/03/28/words/#comment-3163 Some years ago, while painting the house and listening to the radio, there was a news story about how a train had hit a car at a crossing. It was spun as "the big bad train hit the poor defenseless car at this crossing it had every right to be on." Truly annoyed, I went in the house, called the station, and because it was Sunday, I got the actual news reader on the phone. I explained to him how he had the story completely backwards, and, since I knew the crossing involved, that the driver had to have driven around the gates to be on the tracks at all, and how long it takes a train to stop. Everyone reading this knows the story. But to my amazement, the next reading of the news carried a completly different take on what had happened, blaming the car for interfering with the passage of the train. Yes, they DO care to get the news correctly. Some years ago, while painting the house and listening to the radio, there was a news story about how a train had hit a car at a crossing. It was spun as “the big bad train hit the poor defenseless car at this crossing it had every right to be on.” Truly annoyed, I went in the house, called the station, and because it was Sunday, I got the actual news reader on the phone. I explained to him how he had the story completely backwards, and, since I knew the crossing involved, that the driver had to have driven around the gates to be on the tracks at all, and how long it takes a train to stop. Everyone reading this knows the story. But to my amazement, the next reading of the news carried a completly different take on what had happened, blaming the car for interfering with the passage of the train. Yes, they DO care to get the news correctly.

]]> By: Brandon Shaw http://www.masstransitmag.com/interactive/2008/03/28/words/#comment-3149 Brandon Shaw Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:26:17 +0000 http://www.masstransitmag.com/interactive/2008/03/28/words/#comment-3149 Fred, this is a very good post - I couldn't agree with you more. I'll never forget the WMATA Metrorail accident at Woodley Park Zoo. The first article stated that the trains bumped into each other. So, imagine my surprise when I saw the photographs of the accident. Quite a bump, indeed! It just goes to show how important correct word choices are in whatever you are writing, whether it is a news article, a blog, or a formal report. Fred, this is a very good post - I couldn’t agree with you more. I’ll never forget the WMATA Metrorail accident at Woodley Park Zoo. The first article stated that the trains bumped into each other. So, imagine my surprise when I saw the photographs of the accident. Quite a bump, indeed!

It just goes to show how important correct word choices are in whatever you are writing, whether it is a news article, a blog, or a formal report.

]]> By: Sloan Auchincloss http://www.masstransitmag.com/interactive/2008/03/28/words/#comment-3145 Sloan Auchincloss Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:53:53 +0000 http://www.masstransitmag.com/interactive/2008/03/28/words/#comment-3145 Good point, Fred. I've noticed that reporters use "conductor" and "engineer" interchangeably. Mass transit leadership could build some "bridges" with the press, especially small outlets which do not have transportation speccialists, by providing fact sheets that contain proper definitions. Responsible media—even blogs— really do want to "get it right." Good point, Fred. I’ve noticed that reporters use “conductor” and “engineer” interchangeably. Mass transit leadership could build some “bridges” with the press, especially small outlets which do not have transportation speccialists, by providing fact sheets that contain proper definitions.

Responsible media—even blogs— really do want to “get it right.”

]]> By: Norm Mars http://www.masstransitmag.com/interactive/2008/03/28/words/#comment-3144 Norm Mars Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:44:39 +0000 http://www.masstransitmag.com/interactive/2008/03/28/words/#comment-3144 Right on target, Fred. As one who sends many emails, memos, and letters throughout the day to give instructions, report on operational issues, and seek information I need to do my job, I have had experiences of different recipients of my messages perceiving what I stated or asked much differently than I intended. Words create a mental picture in the minds of the readers. We must be careful that our words accurately portray what we really want to say. Right on target, Fred. As one who sends many emails, memos, and letters throughout the day to give instructions, report on operational issues, and seek information I need to do my job, I have had experiences of different recipients of my messages perceiving what I stated or asked much differently than I intended. Words create a mental picture in the minds of the readers. We must be careful that our words accurately portray what we really want to say.

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