[Tango-L] Derik vs El bandido re Argentina

[Mallpasso@aol.com]

Not to belabor the point: the population of Buenos Aires, discounting it's 
suburbs, is around 2.75 million according to Wikipedia.  I doubt more than 1% of 
the population dance tango in the city.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Population_of_Buenos_Aires_1740-2010.png

El Bandido de Tango




In a message dated 5/12/2006 12:14:04 Pacific Daylight Time, Euroking writes:
Martin, 

I have to side with El Bandito with this one. The definitions, both from a UK 
dictionary and the Merriam Webster Dictionary gives many a definition 
implying a majority. 'a large indefinite number'  an in fact the definition "the 
many" includes the word majority (UK dictionary) and "the masses" in Webster. 

I clearly read Derik's comment to mean that a large number of Argentines 
dance Tango... I clearly read El Bandito's comment to say a "vast majority" the 
would imply, at least in my mind 70% + although I admit there probably is no 
clear definition of the numeric value of vast majority, but IMHO either Derik or 
El Bandito are wrong.  I have read elsewhere that the percentage of Argentines 
that actually dance Tango is relatively small compared with the entire 
population. 

Which brings me to the next point, many is a vague term that is highly 
relevant to the context in which it is stated.  Many dance Tango in central Buenos 
Aires in the evening might be valid. Many dance Tango in Patagonia is perhaps 
not as relevant, as the generalizing of Argentina as a whole would probably not 
be correct.  Whereas "vast Majority" is at least defined as 50 percent plus a 
lot more to make it vast.  

I think Derik overstated his point.  My apologies for diving in on this as I 
do feel El Bandito is on point.  I also did not want to start a thread on this 
topic to begin a Derik battle.

Just some thoughts,

Bill


In a message dated 5/12/2006 11:13:18 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, 
mnussbau at law.nyc.gov writes:

El bandido wrote about Derik:

"Your original posts said:
"Many Argentines have been dancing for twenty years to sixty years or
more..."
I responded that a vast majority of Argentines don't dance tango so your 
"Many Argentines..." statement is incorrect.  
El Bandido de Tango."

Never thought I would defend Derik after reading most of his recent posts, 
but on this semantical battle he wins, El bandido. The word "many", 
used by Derik, does not mean the same as the words you used, such as 
"most" or "majority." 
Martin


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