Mass Communications 210
Media Writing

Language In Motion (But 'Media' Is Still Plural!)

The English language is alive. One of the reasons we have a rich and vivid vocabulary is its open-door policy toward new words and meanings drawn from other languages and traditions.

It's language in motion — an endearing quality that's never more evident than in trying to pin down proper grammar.

Take the word "media." We've borrowed it from Latin in its classical form.

	Old Romans (if they'd had television) would have called TV a "medium."
	If they'd had both TV and radio, they would have referred to "media." (Imagine the possibilities for play-by-play from the Coliseum.)

The same is true for Americans who speak English today: Television is a medium (singular). Together, TV and radio are media (plural). When former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura complained, "The media "is out to get me," he was not only throwing aspersions at reporters — he was also offending Latin scholars and careful English speakers everywhere.

Remember this one: The word "media" is plural, and requires a plural verb.
The media are out to get me.

Then pay attention to how the word is actually used by countless commentators. Just think: By mastering this single fact of grammar, you'll be able to correct highly paid media celebrities and others who seldom find themselves wrong.

However, stay tuned. English is subject to a long-term trend toward simplicity. The day may come when dictionaries simply give up. Someday their researchers will undoubtedly recognize "media" as singular in a salute to how it's commonly used — incorrectly — in everyday conversation. *

But not quite yet. "Media" is still a plural noun!

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Last edited by Nancy E. Hanson ... 08/28/07 08:57 AM

Mass Communications 210 Media Writing

Language In Motion (But 'Media' Is Still Plural!)

Mass Communications 210
Media Writing