Let's Talk Squash - SUSPENDED

Squash Mad

As always, interesting perspectives from Mr. Willstrop ... I usually agree and find refreshing his candour and opinions, not this time though re: Language Barrier

http://www.squashsite.co.uk/willstrop's_words.htm

What do you think?

p.s. the hyperlink won't work, to view the article: try copying and pasting the entire link above or clicking on Willstrop on the left hand column on the squashsite
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mark · Prolific Contributor Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 66

I don't use any of the "american" words such as "rail" or "re-drop" and I honestly side with Willstrop and think they sound a little strange.

But Americans will say it the way they want to say it. I don't think there is much you can do to change it.

We could take out full page ads in the New York Times. Something like:

It's COUNTER DROP, not re-drop

marko · Prolific Contributor Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 144

He obviously hasn't been subjected to some of the canadian commentary on the squash videos or he would really get mad !

I'm with Malcolm !

So was there a journalist actually there ?!? - Why the absence of anything on the web

Adam Hildred · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 3:34 pm Post subject:

Personally I quite like to see the variations every so often.
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WHY? · Heavy Contributor Joined: 11 Jul 2007 Posts: 29

Much as I respect Malcolm I think this time he is absolutely wrong. The US has added new, fascinating, dynamic sporting terms to many sports and if you listen to any commentary, example soccer, you will hear them used widely. I wouldn't swear to it, but I suspect 'head to head', 'tie break' and many others originated on the other side of the pond. Many of the examples Malcolm quotes are from the US Hardball version of Squash and any links back to the high profile success of that variant are welcome, particularly the massive funding it got from high profile hardballers.

All language is evolving and for Malcolm to recommend sticking with the English he learned from his schoolmaster last century is pretty conservative for a free thinker like Mr. Willstrop. Idea

mark · Prolific Contributor Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 66

So the addition of the "fascinating" and "dynamic" new sports terms such as "rail" and "backhand flank" are really just words that were taken from another sport (hardball) and misused in our sport?

Thats fine, I do it all the time. As a Canadian I am more accustomed to Ice Hockey than Football (american football). So when there is a "tackle" in Football, I call it a "check". Or in basketball a "free throw" for me is a "penalty shot".....

So if your point is that Hardball is more popular than Squash so we should use Hardball vernacular, then I fully agree with Malcolm; keep your own quirky words to yourself. I would go so far as to say it would make someone come off as a bit slow or confused......just like me when I say the Superbowl went into extra innings......

nyc squash · Prolific Contributor Joined: 19 Jul 2007 Posts: 100

Malcolm is simply being a grump. The person supplying coverage for the US Open wasn't a gifted writer, and some of the phrases Malcolm cites as peculiar terminology are actually just awkward attempts to describe what was happening on court. While it would have been nice to have a more articulate reporter, it does in fact seem churlish of Malcolm to tweak someone who was undoubtedly performing a labor of love.

The one genuinely American squash term I'm aware of is "rail" (for a tight, straight drive). If Malcolm really is unfamiliar with this well-worn expression, then he should be grateful to the U.S. coverage for expanding his squash vocabulary.

squish · Prolific Contributor Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 95

I agree that going forward, not an easy job for institutions like the USSRA (or Malcolm Willstrop), "hardball" or "hardball squash" should be distinguished from "squash". We Americans thank the British Empire for developing and regulating some marvelous games like softball squash, soccer, table tennis, etc. We will resist regulating our language, however, a futile endeavor in any case. We hope it rises to a high level, er, standard, even if infused with local color. We will also strive, in the great tradition of Pakistan and Egypt, to beat the British at their own game. We're getting closer, as evidenced by Illingworth's win over Gough Saturday.

Mr. Willstrop's rare grumpiness can be excused given these developments and his scion's recent U.S. Open loss in the final. Peace out.

mark · Prolific Contributor Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 66

mark · Prolific Contributor Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 66

WHY? · Heavy Contributor Joined: 11 Jul 2007 Posts: 29

Mark. I did not say that Hardball Squash is more popular than softball Squash, it plainly isn't - but it is and was another version of our own game and the 'rail' word is a great description for 'tight drive'. And please don't misquote me, the US contributions to general sport I quoted were 'head to head' and 'tie break'. Is it a tradition in Canadian Squash that you all have to be uptight and grumpy?

mark · Prolific Contributor Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 66

Well I don't think I misquoted you. When you mentioned "the high profile success" of hardball, I thought you meant it was popular. I don't think anyone would describe squash in North America as a "high profile success"

I didn't mean to be a grump, just trying to keep up the Canadian squash tradition of arguing Wink