SpecGram—Plus Epistularum ad Interrogatores—The SpecGram Editorial Board

Plus Epistularum ad Interrogatores

The SpecGram Editorial Board

In a recent editorial we answered some of the questions which readers most often post to us. This month we continue with question number four on that list: “Don’t you people have anything better to do with your time?”

The short answer is “yes.” The longer answer involves some self-examination. On your part, not ours.

Institute of Germanic-Romance Languages and Cultures of Tallinn University, 2012, “Translating Power, Empowering Translation: Itineraries in Translation History” conference.

Chiasmus of the Month
May 2012

Of course we have better things to do than writing satirical linguistic articles. We have families and coworkers, classes to teach and to prepare for (sometimes in that order), publications to whip into shape, committees to serve on, bosses lurking around looking over our shoulders, and so on. Just like you.

In fact, it is these other—“better” if you will—things that motivate our satirical work most effectively. One of our most prolific contributors often comments that he is most able to focus on SpecGram work when he has a stack of final exams to grade. Some might call it shirking, but we prefer to think that the SpecGram muse is the kindest of all muses, inspiring our best just when we most need inspiration.

The question we need to ask is, “Where is your contribution to SpecGram?” We know you love SpecGram, or else you wouldn’t be reading this letter from the editor. But chances are, you aren’t doing your part to contribute to world happiness by submitting an article to SpecGram. Most of our readers never do.

We know you’re putting off something “better” that you could be doing right now. We are also confident that, if you’ll listen, the SpecGram muse is calling you. In fact, it may be right now. Or it may be tomorrow. But whenever it is, the muse will tell you the same thing, something like this: “Sure, that report is due in two days, but the SpecGram editors will love this idea, and if you work on it now you won’t forget the classic line you just thought up.”

We’re glad you enjoy SpecGram. We enjoy bringing it to you. We also want to encourage you to undertake some serious self-reflection, and to let that reflection spur you to action: don’t you have anything better to do?

	Letters to the Editor
	SpecGram Vol CLXIV, No 3 Contents