VOOZH about

URL: https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/in-circulation.1820387/

⇱ In circulation | WordReference Forums

Menu
Install the app
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.

In circulation

Sextus

Senior Member
Spanish
Hi,

Can I say something like this?

"He uses X like a coin which is accepted by the members of the community within which/where it is in circulation".

(This sentence forms part of a paragraph which discusses an ancient text.)
You can say something like that. I have the feeling though, that there may be a better way of phrasing it. How about:
He uses X like a coin which is (freely ?) accepted [] where it is in circulation.
​
I think the doubt I have about your version is that if the comparison "like a coin" works, the explanation "by the members of the community" explains what doesn't need to be explained. And I think "like a coin" does work.

Of course, my version assumes that "X" is accepted by the community he speaks to. If it isn't, then this would need to be said differently, to tell us that his expectation isn't realized.
I think that works well. What about this?

"He uses language like a coin which is accepted wherever it is in circulation".
That looks fine to me.

It is an interesting idea. Does that mean that he thinks his language can be understood across national boundaries? (This seems unlikely.) Or that he doesn't feel a need to define or clarify his terminology? (This seems more likely.) Or some third thing? I assume what it means is made clear by context.

An aside: I have a stylistic preference for "coin that" here, but it is a personal preference, not a grammatical fact. Other people may feel differently.
I think there's some redundancy in the image: a coin in circulation is a coin that's accepted by the community. You don't need to say both. A coin in circulation is one that ordinary people see today, as opposed to for example old ones that have been withdrawn, or special $100 gold collectors' coins. 'In circulation' obviously implies some place; no coins are in circulation everywhere; but we can say 'in circulation' on its own and don't have to say 'in circulation in their community'.
Do you see a redundancy in Sextus' last version?

He uses language like a coin which is accepted wherever it is in circulation.
Many thanks for your replies. Perhaps:

"He uses language in the same was as he uses a coin which is accepted wherever it is in circulation".

The background idea is that the person in question makes a conventional use of language just for practical purposes. And depending on the context, he will adapt to different usages (philosophical, ordinary, scientific).
I like your second version better than this last one, at least as a stand alone sentence.

I am a little confused by the second part of your explanation, however:
And depending on the context, he will adapt to different usages (philosophical, ordinary, scientific).
​
I understood the point of the comparison with a coin was that a coin has a fixed value that does fluctuate with context. Perhaps you mean that he uses different coins for different contexts?
Well, the idea is that a coin is used and accepted only within a given social context (if you change the context, it won't be accepted). And if you mint a new coin in that context, it won't be accepted. So in the case of language I must use the one which is used and accepted within a given social context; otherwise, I won't be understood.
Perhaps:

"He uses a given language for the same reason as a person who uses a coin because it is accepted wherever it is in circulation".
(Note: cross-posted with above.)

So he selects the coin appropriate to a given social context, and uses it.

That works, if the context makes clear that what he is doing is using "the coin of the realm" for whatever realm he happens to be in; that is, this seems to be a comment on his adaptability.
Yes, that's right. So do you think the last version in my last post is acceptable?
"He uses a given language for the same reason as a person who uses a coin because it is accepted wherever it is in circulation".

How about:

"He uses a given language for the same reason a person who uses a coin selects / [Or uses] the one that is in circulation wherever he happens to be."
Yes, that works fine. I'll only use "where" instead of "wherever".

Thanks a lot, Cagey!
Back
Top Bottom