I’ve noticed myself using the word “content” far too often in my “posts” and it’s suddenly occurred to me that this is not such a good thing. I didn’t write an article, just a post. I didn’t write, even. I blogged. And my writing is nothing significant, just some content. Some filler. In reflection, this is what the words sound like. To an outsider, they don’t reflect well on what we do.
First, content seems to infer that the material is something less than writing itself. That it is not an article. I have to start using the term “writing” in place of “content”
I think that “article” would also be a good replacement for “post”
I am not sure where these trends came from. Did we just get too excited with our new blogging jargon – blog, blogging, bloggers, blogosphere, content, posts, feeds, etc – did we go overboard? At what point do we take ourselves so far out into the jargon to forget what we basically are – journalists.
Let’s redefine the word journalist – a common term, one that is far more referential to what we actually do. I say we claim the words that belong to us, rather than creating words that seem to demean our efforts.
Am I right?
You are absolutely correct, we’ve forgotten the English language. Let’s go back and start using the proper words.
Lucky me, I have never used the “blog”-terminology.
But, I’m rather fresh and not a trained journalist.
:-)
Superb post… er, article. I’ve responded more thoroughly on ODTAA; here’s a chunk:
Does talking about “blogging”, “posts” and “content” intimidate the very people that the self-publishing revolution hopes to enlist?
Or is there something about those terms that’s a little friendlier than the ones they replace? I’ve talked to people who are terrified of the idea of writing for publication, even self-publication. “Writing” is something that “Writers” do, while blogging might feel more like a casual conversation.
It might well be that a divide emerges between people who just want to participate in that casual conversation, and will continue to call it blogging, and those who want to be held to a more exacting standard — and who want it to come with a whole ‘nother nomenclature.
It is what it is.
What we call it is irrelevant.
Language is a living organism that adapts to it’s environment.
:)
The language of blogging: is it good or bad?
Arieanna writes Smartmobs: “Some suggest it might help people afraid of “writing” get into writing in a more conversational way. But I say we’re deluding ourselves with words that demean what we do”. The words bloggers use to self-reference need…
I’m not a journalist. My posts are nowhere near “articles” (which are longer and better written). A post is the writing equivalent to a post-it, which is what most blog posts are, for me.
Feel free to redefine the terminology for you though ;-)
Funnily enough I was struggling with this a few hours ago. I’ve decided on the term “post” for what is written and blogger for what I am.
The OED defines a journalist as:
a person who writes for newspapers or magazines or prepares news or features to be broadcast on radio or television.
Outdated perhaps but it works for me.
I have no problem with “post”. Fewer syllables than “article”.
When somebody starts making you say things using more syllables, I usually watch my wallet and/or back.
Though “content” is a pretty repellent term, granted.
Tweet! Tweet!
The choice of words sets the tone and reflects the author’s opinion of his/her own work and self-image.
Using higher status words can be self-aggrandisment and use of the lower status words self-deprecation. Both uses have their place depending on the context.
“Content” though is jargon…
What is writing if not a careful choice of words?
I think that is really well said, Andi. Thanks for the comment! Although I really doubt I will be able to elude all blogging jargon, I do hope to eliminate “content”
The Semantics of Blogging
Arieanna at ‘blogaholics’ commented recently about the semantics of blogging, scolding herself for using the word ‘content’ too frequently and lamenting that the word ‘post’ by inference means less than
The Semantics of Blogging
Arieanna at ‘blogaholics’ commented recently about the semantics of blogging, scolding herself for using the word ‘content’ too frequently and lamenting that the word ‘post’ by inference means less than