Faithfully, Obama
I just knew there would be a slew of linguists lined up to analyze Obama’s performance today, and y’all didn’t disappoint.
Especially of note was the flub in the oath, specifically, the placement of “faithfully.”
Okay, fine. Someone screwed up. I personally couldn’t tell if it was Obama or Chief Justice Roberts who stumbled, so I’ll let the people who know what they’re talking about figure it out for me:
From Literal Minded:
Faithfully Execute Faithfully the Office of President of the United States Faithfully
From the Linguists Graduate Student Association:
Constitution vs. Cooperation. The case of syntax and Oath of Office.
From Language Log:
Adverbial placement in the oath flub
Huh. I would really like to hear some Journey now. Go figure.
Brandon Dove on January 21st, 2009
They did SO brilliantly on the oath that they had to call for a “do-over.” Apparently they are blaming it on Roberts. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28780417/?gt1=42003