[Tango-L] 6 months or 6 weeks

[Jake Spatz (TangoDC.com)]

Sean,

Trini y Sean (PATangoS) wrote:
> Either way, Steve's use of the term mastery may be correctly interpreted as he intended it to be interpreted.
On what planet?

Steve was using "mastery" to mean either "promise" or "basic 
competence," and in the context of the discussion to which this post 
belonged, "mastery" is the antonym of his intended meaning. Just because 
you and I understood him, because we're used to the very sloppy usage 
widespread on this continent, doesn't mean he put it well.
> On the other hand Steve, Manuel's original interpretation is also valid.
Manuel used the word properly, and wasn't kissing ass.
> In common usage, English is often horribly ambiguous. Hence we engage in dialogue to clarify meaning.
>   
We engage in dialogue to develop ideas, not to revise our diction. Folks 
ought to proofread their damn typing before making it public.
> I've tried to make this point already about the phrase
> "world class".
By your own admission, you failed at that, no?
> Maybe I wasn't clear that I meant they [6-month novices] enjoy dancing with partners with a similar level of experience.
Maybe we all would do well to forget "common usage," and say what we mean.
> But they usually finish each step with all their weight on the correct foot, although some aren't yet strong enough to maintain an axis.
If _this_ is even "basic competence," let alone mastery of anything, I 
think I can safely discard your plaudits of them until another 6 months 
have passed.

Jake
DC