Comments on: Brief Thoughts on Irony http://www.ericaustinlee.com/2009/01/brief-thoughts-on-irony/ the blog of Eric Austin Lee Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:07:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Eric Lee http://www.ericaustinlee.com/2009/01/brief-thoughts-on-irony/comment-page-1/#comment-15572 Eric Lee Sun, 11 Jan 2009 17:23:15 +0000 http://www.ericaustinlee.com/?p=1855#comment-15572 Thanks for the comment. I was hoping somebody British would speak up!<br><br>I confess that most of the grist for the "indirectness" of which I speak comes from the office environment that Tiana has had to deal with since she started working here in the UK.  <br><br>Other than that, I agree with you!<br><br> And no, I don't think irony is akin to lying.<br><br>Where I get confused is that this 'border' that delineates this "circle of friends" is not only too often arbitrary, but is all too often used as a bludgeon itself (again, I guess all office politics could fall under this). Thanks for the comment. I was hoping somebody British would speak up!

I confess that most of the grist for the “indirectness” of which I speak comes from the office environment that Tiana has had to deal with since she started working here in the UK.  

Other than that, I agree with you!

And no, I don’t think irony is akin to lying.

Where I get confused is that this ‘border’ that delineates this “circle of friends” is not only too often arbitrary, but is all too often used as a bludgeon itself (again, I guess all office politics could fall under this).

]]> By: Alex http://www.ericaustinlee.com/2009/01/brief-thoughts-on-irony/comment-page-1/#comment-15571 Alex Sun, 11 Jan 2009 17:19:38 +0000 http://www.ericaustinlee.com/?p=1855#comment-15571 As someone who has been British all my life, I'd actually say that irony and indirectness in relationships are sign of a strong relationship rather than a weak one. To be able to be ironic to people, and for that to be understood as irony, requires a close friendship, in order that the person "gets" it. It is only people outside your circle of friends you have to carefully make sure what you say cannot be misunderstood, within this group you can be ironic as you like and it will be understood.As for Jesus, this was on the swearing of oaths, I'm sure you don't think that irony is akin to lying. Particularly for one who spoke in a series of paradoxical and baffling parables (who intention was to be baffling and difficult, read our own Anthony Thiselton on the parable form). As someone who has been British all my life, I’d actually say that irony and indirectness in relationships are sign of a strong relationship rather than a weak one. To be able to be ironic to people, and for that to be understood as irony, requires a close friendship, in order that the person “gets” it. It is only people outside your circle of friends you have to carefully make sure what you say cannot be misunderstood, within this group you can be ironic as you like and it will be understood.As for Jesus, this was on the swearing of oaths, I’m sure you don’t think that irony is akin to lying. Particularly for one who spoke in a series of paradoxical and baffling parables (who intention was to be baffling and difficult, read our own Anthony Thiselton on the parable form).

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