AN OFFICIAL INTIMATION: "COMMUNIKAY"

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 104, 19 May 1937, Page 4

AN OFFICIAL INTIMATION: "COMMUNIKAY"

In the course of his campaign for the corre.ct pronounciation and use of words Professor Arnold Wall, of Auckland, denounces the manner iu which the word ' ' communique ' ' is used in speech. The word occurs frequently in cable, news and is very often pronounced "communeek," and Professor Wall says that one broadcasting station has offended in this respect for years. He appeals to editors and sub-editors to eliminate the word as much as possible unless ihe accent can be placed on the ' ' e" which involves extra work and expense. The word communique, ' ' says Professor Wall. "has conie into uso * as an English word only since 1914 and is defined to mean "official intimation or report." After studying many examples I have concluded that in any contest one or other of the. f^Uowing will serve perfectly as a substitute: " official intimation"; "official report"; "official communication"; "official message"; "official information"; and a selection from these could be made in each case." He thinks that "communeek" is an abomination which ought to be discountenanced and if possible abolished. It is rather hard that the sins of the radio-speaker should be visited upon the heads of the sub-editors but Professor Walls noble efforts to make English safe for demoeracy must inspixe all good journalists to give him aid, "Communique." however. does excelleut service in describing certain information and wl^never it appears iu the columns of the Herald-Tribune we ask readers to re^nember that | i, there should be an accent on the ' ' e."