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Writing Cummings Devices
CHAPTER 6

to the ease with which the term enters as the first member into noun—noun constructions: 'the microwave method,' and so forth. The only such construct that is justifiable is 'microwave cycle.' If that phrase is replaced by 'Cummings device,' then the originator will receive credit for his idea, and at the same time unwarranted collocations will be blocked by the very mechanics of the English language: people will not easily slip into talking about 'Cummings device theory,' or 'the Cummings device method.' On the contrary, the term 'device' is intended to suggest a small part of a total method, which may or may not be consonant with one or another theory.

WRITING CUMMINGS DEVICES

Problems in writing Cummings devices arise in connection with both the manipulative and the communicative phases.

Example 1 (French)

Bonjour Monsieur. Good morning. (said to a man)
Bonjour Mademoiselle. Good morning. (said to an unmarried woman)
Bonjour Madame. Good morning. (said to a married woman)
Comment allez—vous? How are you?
Bien, merci. Et vous? Well, thanks. And you?
Tres bien, merci. Et vous? Very well, thanks. And you?
Pas mal, merci. Et vous? Not bad, thanks. And you?
Ca va bien, merci. Et Fine, thanks. And you? vous?
Je vais bien, merci.
Et vous?
I'm fine, thanks. And you?

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