Greek and Latin in English (journalism)
Have you ever had the desire to subtly proclaim to the world that you are a well –read person?
Is there a way other than the rather un-sophisticated “this-is-a-list-of-books-I-have-read” (as I have done in a blog elsewhere)? Yes there is. And it is not only more sophisticated by an order of magnitude, it also establishes beyond doubt your pedigree as a mandarin of the highest rank.
All you have to do is sprinkle a bit of Greek or Roman mythology in what you write. Some of our most respected journalists have been doing it for ages. A mention of Sisyphus will immediately raise your stature considerably among those who have heard of Sisyphus, and even more among those who have not. And if Sisyphus is too difficult even Icarus will do.
Want to do even better? Pop in a Prometheus or a Cassandra or a Pandora!! This will establish your long and enduring connection with Oxford/ Cambridge even if the only connection you had is the picture post-card that your uncle sent when he was on a package tour of UK.
Now I love mythologies from all countries. Each has some very interesting stories. Greek and Roman mythologies are almost the same (perhaps one derives from the other) and both share many similarities with Indian mythology. But I have yet to reach the exalted level where I can carelessly fling in a Greek hero in my writing.
Note:
In Greek mythology Sisyphus was a king punished by being compelled to roll an immense boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down, and to repeat this...
Icarus was the man who made wings using wax to glue bird-feathers, but flew too high and the Sun rays melted the wax.
Have you ever had the desire to subtly proclaim to the world that you are a well –read person?
Is there a way other than the rather un-sophisticated “this-is-a-list-of-books-I-have-read” (as I have done in a blog elsewhere)? Yes there is. And it is not only more sophisticated by an order of magnitude, it also establishes beyond doubt your pedigree as a mandarin of the highest rank.
All you have to do is sprinkle a bit of Greek or Roman mythology in what you write. Some of our most respected journalists have been doing it for ages. A mention of Sisyphus will immediately raise your stature considerably among those who have heard of Sisyphus, and even more among those who have not. And if Sisyphus is too difficult even Icarus will do.
Want to do even better? Pop in a Prometheus or a Cassandra or a Pandora!! This will establish your long and enduring connection with Oxford/ Cambridge even if the only connection you had is the picture post-card that your uncle sent when he was on a package tour of UK.
Now I love mythologies from all countries. Each has some very interesting stories. Greek and Roman mythologies are almost the same (perhaps one derives from the other) and both share many similarities with Indian mythology. But I have yet to reach the exalted level where I can carelessly fling in a Greek hero in my writing.
Note:
In Greek mythology Sisyphus was a king punished by being compelled to roll an immense boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down, and to repeat this...
Icarus was the man who made wings using wax to glue bird-feathers, but flew too high and the Sun rays melted the wax.
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