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Is “I” an alphabet or a letter?
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I have come across this sentence, "Modi understands only one alphabet, and that is the capital I", in the renowned Indian writer Dr. Shashi Tharoor's recently published book "The Paradoxical Prime Minister".
When I looked the word 'alphabet' up in dictionaries, I get the definition as 'a set of letters or symbols in a fixed order used to represent the basic set of speech sounds of a language, especially the set of letters from A to Z'. (Oxford Living Dictionaries)
So, is it correct to call a letter an alphabet?
word-usage indian-english word-substitution
edited Nov 15 at 23:56
V2Blast
13318
asked Nov 15 at 17:43
mahmud koya
6,7714724
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up vote
23
down vote
favorite
I have come across this sentence, "Modi understands only one alphabet, and that is the capital I", in the renowned Indian writer Dr. Shashi Tharoor's recently published book "The Paradoxical Prime Minister".
When I looked the word 'alphabet' up in dictionaries, I get the definition as 'a set of letters or symbols in a fixed order used to represent the basic set of speech sounds of a language, especially the set of letters from A to Z'. (Oxford Living Dictionaries)
So, is it correct to call a letter an alphabet?
word-usage indian-english word-substitution
edited Nov 15 at 23:56
V2Blast
13318
asked Nov 15 at 17:43
mahmud koya
6,7714724
1
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up vote
23
down vote
favorite
up vote
23
down vote
favorite
I have come across this sentence, "Modi understands only one alphabet, and that is the capital I", in the renowned Indian writer Dr. Shashi Tharoor's recently published book "The Paradoxical Prime Minister".
When I looked the word 'alphabet' up in dictionaries, I get the definition as 'a set of letters or symbols in a fixed order used to represent the basic set of speech sounds of a language, especially the set of letters from A to Z'. (Oxford Living Dictionaries)
So, is it correct to call a letter an alphabet?
word-usage indian-english word-substitution
edited Nov 15 at 23:56
V2Blast
13318
asked Nov 15 at 17:43
mahmud koya
6,7714724
I have come across this sentence, "Modi understands only one alphabet, and that is the capital I", in the renowned Indian writer Dr. Shashi Tharoor's recently published book "The Paradoxical Prime Minister".
When I looked the word 'alphabet' up in dictionaries, I get the definition as 'a set of letters or symbols in a fixed order used to represent the basic set of speech sounds of a language, especially the set of letters from A to Z'. (Oxford Living Dictionaries)
So, is it correct to call a letter an alphabet?
word-usage indian-english word-substitution
word-usage indian-english word-substitution
edited Nov 15 at 23:56
V2Blast
13318
asked Nov 15 at 17:43
mahmud koya
6,7714724
edited Nov 15 at 23:56
V2Blast
13318
asked Nov 15 at 17:43
mahmud koya
6,7714724
edited Nov 15 at 23:56
V2Blast
13318
edited Nov 15 at 23:56
V2Blast
13318
edited Nov 15 at 23:56
V2Blast
13318
13318
asked Nov 15 at 17:43
mahmud koya
6,7714724
asked Nov 15 at 17:43
mahmud koya
6,7714724
asked Nov 15 at 17:43
mahmud koya
6,7714724
6,7714724
1
Language should be respectful and kind. Avoid abusive or condescending comments. If a situation makes it hard to use respectful language, do not reply. Instead, flag to alert moderators. More information: “Code of Conduct”.
– MetaEd♦
2 days ago
1
Please avoid discussion, debate, or giving answers in comments. The comment thread is reserved for helping to improve the post: friendly clarifying questions, suggestions for improving the question, relevant but transient information, and explanations of your actions. A welcoming place for discussion of posts (or anything else) is our English Language & Usage Chat.
– MetaEd♦
2 days ago
And if you think the reminder to be respectful is for the other party, you're wrong. It is for you.
– MetaEd♦
2 days ago
add a comment |
1
Language should be respectful and kind. Avoid abusive or condescending comments. If a situation makes it hard to use respectful language, do not reply. Instead, flag to alert moderators. More information: “Code of Conduct”.
– MetaEd♦
2 days ago
1
Please avoid discussion, debate, or giving answers in comments. The comment thread is reserved for helping to improve the post: friendly clarifying questions, suggestions for improving the question, relevant but transient information, and explanations of your actions. A welcoming place for discussion of posts (or anything else) is our English Language & Usage Chat.
– MetaEd♦
2 days ago
And if you think the reminder to be respectful is for the other party, you're wrong. It is for you.
– MetaEd♦
2 days ago
1
1
Language should be respectful and kind. Avoid abusive or condescending comments. If a situation makes it hard to use respectful language, do not reply. Instead, flag to alert moderators. More information: “Code of Conduct”.
– MetaEd♦
2 days ago
Language should be respectful and kind. Avoid abusive or condescending comments. If a situation makes it hard to use respectful language, do not reply. Instead, flag to alert moderators. More information: “Code of Conduct”.
– MetaEd♦
2 days ago
1
1
Please avoid discussion, debate, or giving answers in comments. The comment thread is reserved for helping to improve the post: friendly clarifying questions, suggestions for improving the question, relevant but transient information, and explanations of your actions. A welcoming place for discussion of posts (or anything else) is our English Language & Usage Chat.
– MetaEd♦
2 days ago
Please avoid discussion, debate, or giving answers in comments. The comment thread is reserved for helping to improve the post: friendly clarifying questions, suggestions for improving the question, relevant but transient information, and explanations of your actions. A welcoming place for discussion of posts (or anything else) is our English Language & Usage Chat.
– MetaEd♦
2 days ago
And if you think the reminder to be respectful is for the other party, you're wrong. It is for you.
– MetaEd♦
2 days ago
And if you think the reminder to be respectful is for the other party, you're wrong. It is for you.
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2 days ago
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
up vote
78
down vote
accepted
In standard US and UK usage, an alphabet is a system or collection of letters, a letter being
A written symbol or character representing a speech sound and being a component of an alphabet. [AHD]
In Indian English, however, the word alphabet is sometimes used synonymously with letter, which is all that has happened here. A web search turns up innumerable examples, including sources one might expect to have a good level of English proficiency:
Of these students, only 22% managed to read their Hindi textbook while only 43% could read a paragraph, 14% could read a word, 13% could read only the alphabets and 8% could not even identify an alphabet. (The Wire)
Please enter the alphabets and numbers in the exact way as they are displayed without any space. (CAPTCHA for the Government of Nagaland)
Earlier in the month, the company had posted a beautiful time-lapse photo of a traffic junction, which is in the form of an alphabet 'X'… (International Business Times, India edition)
I had taken it on myself to teach them the English alphabets.… Every day after my farming chores were completed around 11 am, the children would sit on a “charpoy” … [t]hen for a couple of hours I taught them the alphabets from A to Z. (Column in the Free Press Journal)
India of course has many languages and several different alphabets, so the use of alphabet to mean letter may have arisen out of a lexical gap for distinguishing corresponding characters of different case:
Do not rush her into picking up all the alphabets by the end of the first week. Remember it is 26 new alphabets and 52 letters (both upper and lower case included), and that’s a lot for her little brain. (Magic Crate blog)
answered Nov 15 at 19:19
choster
36.1k1481132
9
So, a letter being called alphabet is an example of Indianism?
– mahmud koya
Nov 15 at 19:31
9
@mahmudkoya Yes, I believe this usage originates from and is mostly used in South Asia, like good name or timepass; it seems like it is an ordinary usage there, but it would not be commonly understood or accepted, for example, in the Five Eyes countries.
– choster
Nov 15 at 19:36
5
@DanBron In fairness, this question seems to have come up before, though it was asked less ably and as a consequence oerklens was stuck with guessing.
– choster
Nov 15 at 19:45
3
I understod the sentence as "Modi's alphabet consists only of the capital I letter" .... which works well too, I think.
– Edheldil
Nov 16 at 12:45
8
@Kris I might accept that interpretation if the line were something like Modi's alphabet has only one letter, and that is the capital I, or Modi understands only an alphabet of the capital I, but that is not in fact the case.
– choster
Nov 16 at 14:32
|
show 10 more comments
up vote
21
down vote
Technically, one letter could be an alphabet. By the definition you provided, an alphabet is a set of symbols or letters. This set could theoretically contain any number of letters.
- The Latin alphabet is a single set of 26 letters.
- The Greek alphabet is a single set of 24 letters.
- The Arabic alphabet (technically abjad) is a single set of 28 letters.
- The hypothetical alphabet in the sentence is a single set of 1
letter.
So while in the sentence it is used as a hyperbole to mean that the individual thinks only of himself, it's possible that the letter I could also be an alphabet in which it is the only letter.
answered Nov 15 at 18:41
Curious_Flyer
3775
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2
+1 Good interpretation and it makes sense. Thanks!
– mahmud koya
Nov 15 at 18:53
5
This sounds nice in theory but I think the answer is rather more prosaic.
– choster
Nov 15 at 19:20
2
To be pedantic, Arabic script (and some Asian writing systems also) are not strictly speaking "alphabets" because they do not have symbols for every sound in the spoken language. For example written Arabic has no "letters" representing vowels - they are either omitted, or represented by marks over or under the consonant that precedes them. The technical term for this type of script is an abjad, not an alphabet.
– alephzero
Nov 15 at 23:20
3
Well, the letter I is not the same as the set of letters containing exactly the letter I. Consider an analogy: a wallet containing only one coin is not the same thing as the coin alone without the wallet. I find the explanation that the text contains an Indianism (the word alphabet meaning letter) more convincing.
– Giorgio
Nov 16 at 21:58
4
@Giorgio right. Technically, I ≠ {I}.
– leftaroundabout
2 days ago
|
show 6 more comments
up vote
0
down vote
"Modi understands only one alphabet, and that is the capital I" is an example of a metaphor in which Modi's understanding of a well known concept (the English alphabet) is being compared to an imaginary "alphabet" that only contains the letter "I". Even the lower case "i" is excluded from the imaginary alphabet to emphasise some selfish characteristic about Modi that Dr. Shashi Tharoor wants to emphasise, because "i/I" is only used alone in its capital form.
Thus, Dr. Shashi Tharoor is saying that Modi's utterances are restricted to: I, I, I, ...
answered yesterday
jimalton
693
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up vote
-1
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A "letter" does not provide as much context as an "alphabet" e.g. "e is the 5th letter" vs "e is the 5th alphabet".
The author could draw out on his views regarding Modi by stating - Modi ONLY understands the alphabet I (of all the alphabets).
So it is correct and in fact warranted in this case to convey the meaning.
answered Nov 16 at 13:21
kSiddharth
112
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4
Just so you know, outside India, English speakers don’t and can’t use “alphabet” when they want to convey “letter”. It doesn’t have that meaning. And “e” is the 5th letter does mean, to most English speakers, what you phrasing as “the 5th alphabet”. The first is completely unambiguous and clear; the second would just confuse most people (like the original poster here was confused). Clarifying this difference between Indian English and the more common English is why the first answer has so many votes: the phrase was confusing and mysterious to most, and the answer solves the mystery.
– Dan Bron
Nov 16 at 14:37
Now that I look at it with a fresh set of eyes, it does make sense to use the word letter. Good to know @Dan Bron
– kSiddharth
Nov 16 at 17:31
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
78
down vote
accepted
In standard US and UK usage, an alphabet is a system or collection of letters, a letter being
A written symbol or character representing a speech sound and being a component of an alphabet. [AHD]
In Indian English, however, the word alphabet is sometimes used synonymously with letter, which is all that has happened here. A web search turns up innumerable examples, including sources one might expect to have a good level of English proficiency:
Of these students, only 22% managed to read their Hindi textbook while only 43% could read a paragraph, 14% could read a word, 13% could read only the alphabets and 8% could not even identify an alphabet. (The Wire)
Please enter the alphabets and numbers in the exact way as they are displayed without any space. (CAPTCHA for the Government of Nagaland)
Earlier in the month, the company had posted a beautiful time-lapse photo of a traffic junction, which is in the form of an alphabet 'X'… (International Business Times, India edition)
I had taken it on myself to teach them the English alphabets.… Every day after my farming chores were completed around 11 am, the children would sit on a “charpoy” … [t]hen for a couple of hours I taught them the alphabets from A to Z. (Column in the Free Press Journal)
India of course has many languages and several different alphabets, so the use of alphabet to mean letter may have arisen out of a lexical gap for distinguishing corresponding characters of different case:
Do not rush her into picking up all the alphabets by the end of the first week. Remember it is 26 new alphabets and 52 letters (both upper and lower case included), and that’s a lot for her little brain. (Magic Crate blog)
answered Nov 15 at 19:19
choster
36.1k1481132
9
So, a letter being called alphabet is an example of Indianism?
– mahmud koya
Nov 15 at 19:31
9
@mahmudkoya Yes, I believe this usage originates from and is mostly used in South Asia, like good name or timepass; it seems like it is an ordinary usage there, but it would not be commonly understood or accepted, for example, in the Five Eyes countries.
– choster
Nov 15 at 19:36
5
@DanBron In fairness, this question seems to have come up before, though it was asked less ably and as a consequence oerklens was stuck with guessing.
– choster
Nov 15 at 19:45
3
I understod the sentence as "Modi's alphabet consists only of the capital I letter" .... which works well too, I think.
– Edheldil
Nov 16 at 12:45
8
@Kris I might accept that interpretation if the line were something like Modi's alphabet has only one letter, and that is the capital I, or Modi understands only an alphabet of the capital I, but that is not in fact the case.
– choster
Nov 16 at 14:32
|
show 10 more comments
up vote
78
down vote
accepted
In standard US and UK usage, an alphabet is a system or collection of letters, a letter being
A written symbol or character representing a speech sound and being a component of an alphabet. [AHD]
In Indian English, however, the word alphabet is sometimes used synonymously with letter, which is all that has happened here. A web search turns up innumerable examples, including sources one might expect to have a good level of English proficiency:
Of these students, only 22% managed to read their Hindi textbook while only 43% could read a paragraph, 14% could read a word, 13% could read only the alphabets and 8% could not even identify an alphabet. (The Wire)
Please enter the alphabets and numbers in the exact way as they are displayed without any space. (CAPTCHA for the Government of Nagaland)
Earlier in the month, the company had posted a beautiful time-lapse photo of a traffic junction, which is in the form of an alphabet 'X'… (International Business Times, India edition)
I had taken it on myself to teach them the English alphabets.… Every day after my farming chores were completed around 11 am, the children would sit on a “charpoy” … [t]hen for a couple of hours I taught them the alphabets from A to Z. (Column in the Free Press Journal)
India of course has many languages and several different alphabets, so the use of alphabet to mean letter may have arisen out of a lexical gap for distinguishing corresponding characters of different case:
Do not rush her into picking up all the alphabets by the end of the first week. Remember it is 26 new alphabets and 52 letters (both upper and lower case included), and that’s a lot for her little brain. (Magic Crate blog)
answered Nov 15 at 19:19
choster
36.1k1481132
9
So, a letter being called alphabet is an example of Indianism?
– mahmud koya
Nov 15 at 19:31
9
@mahmudkoya Yes, I believe this usage originates from and is mostly used in South Asia, like good name or timepass; it seems like it is an ordinary usage there, but it would not be commonly understood or accepted, for example, in the Five Eyes countries.
– choster
Nov 15 at 19:36
5
@DanBron In fairness, this question seems to have come up before, though it was asked less ably and as a consequence oerklens was stuck with guessing.
– choster
Nov 15 at 19:45
3
I understod the sentence as "Modi's alphabet consists only of the capital I letter" .... which works well too, I think.
– Edheldil
Nov 16 at 12:45
8
@Kris I might accept that interpretation if the line were something like Modi's alphabet has only one letter, and that is the capital I, or Modi understands only an alphabet of the capital I, but that is not in fact the case.
– choster
Nov 16 at 14:32
|
show 10 more comments
up vote
78
down vote
accepted
up vote
78
down vote
accepted
In standard US and UK usage, an alphabet is a system or collection of letters, a letter being
A written symbol or character representing a speech sound and being a component of an alphabet. [AHD]
In Indian English, however, the word alphabet is sometimes used synonymously with letter, which is all that has happened here. A web search turns up innumerable examples, including sources one might expect to have a good level of English proficiency:
Of these students, only 22% managed to read their Hindi textbook while only 43% could read a paragraph, 14% could read a word, 13% could read only the alphabets and 8% could not even identify an alphabet. (The Wire)
Please enter the alphabets and numbers in the exact way as they are displayed without any space. (CAPTCHA for the Government of Nagaland)
Earlier in the month, the company had posted a beautiful time-lapse photo of a traffic junction, which is in the form of an alphabet 'X'… (International Business Times, India edition)
I had taken it on myself to teach them the English alphabets.… Every day after my farming chores were completed around 11 am, the children would sit on a “charpoy” … [t]hen for a couple of hours I taught them the alphabets from A to Z. (Column in the Free Press Journal)
India of course has many languages and several different alphabets, so the use of alphabet to mean letter may have arisen out of a lexical gap for distinguishing corresponding characters of different case:
Do not rush her into picking up all the alphabets by the end of the first week. Remember it is 26 new alphabets and 52 letters (both upper and lower case included), and that’s a lot for her little brain. (Magic Crate blog)
answered Nov 15 at 19:19
choster
36.1k1481132
In standard US and UK usage, an alphabet is a system or collection of letters, a letter being
A written symbol or character representing a speech sound and being a component of an alphabet. [AHD]
In Indian English, however, the word alphabet is sometimes used synonymously with letter, which is all that has happened here. A web search turns up innumerable examples, including sources one might expect to have a good level of English proficiency:
Of these students, only 22% managed to read their Hindi textbook while only 43% could read a paragraph, 14% could read a word, 13% could read only the alphabets and 8% could not even identify an alphabet. (The Wire)
Please enter the alphabets and numbers in the exact way as they are displayed without any space. (CAPTCHA for the Government of Nagaland)
Earlier in the month, the company had posted a beautiful time-lapse photo of a traffic junction, which is in the form of an alphabet 'X'… (International Business Times, India edition)
I had taken it on myself to teach them the English alphabets.… Every day after my farming chores were completed around 11 am, the children would sit on a “charpoy” … [t]hen for a couple of hours I taught them the alphabets from A to Z. (Column in the Free Press Journal)
India of course has many languages and several different alphabets, so the use of alphabet to mean letter may have arisen out of a lexical gap for distinguishing corresponding characters of different case:
Do not rush her into picking up all the alphabets by the end of the first week. Remember it is 26 new alphabets and 52 letters (both upper and lower case included), and that’s a lot for her little brain. (Magic Crate blog)
answered Nov 15 at 19:19
choster
36.1k1481132
edited Nov 15 at 19:26
answered Nov 15 at 19:19
choster
36.1k1481132
answered Nov 15 at 19:19
choster
36.1k1481132
answered Nov 15 at 19:19
choster
36.1k1481132
36.1k1481132
9
So, a letter being called alphabet is an example of Indianism?
– mahmud koya
Nov 15 at 19:31
9
@mahmudkoya Yes, I believe this usage originates from and is mostly used in South Asia, like good name or timepass; it seems like it is an ordinary usage there, but it would not be commonly understood or accepted, for example, in the Five Eyes countries.
– choster
Nov 15 at 19:36
5
@DanBron In fairness, this question seems to have come up before, though it was asked less ably and as a consequence oerklens was stuck with guessing.
– choster
Nov 15 at 19:45
3
I understod the sentence as "Modi's alphabet consists only of the capital I letter" .... which works well too, I think.
– Edheldil
Nov 16 at 12:45
8
@Kris I might accept that interpretation if the line were something like Modi's alphabet has only one letter, and that is the capital I, or Modi understands only an alphabet of the capital I, but that is not in fact the case.
– choster
Nov 16 at 14:32
|
show 10 more comments
9
So, a letter being called alphabet is an example of Indianism?
– mahmud koya
Nov 15 at 19:31
9
@mahmudkoya Yes, I believe this usage originates from and is mostly used in South Asia, like good name or timepass; it seems like it is an ordinary usage there, but it would not be commonly understood or accepted, for example, in the Five Eyes countries.
– choster
Nov 15 at 19:36
5
@DanBron In fairness, this question seems to have come up before, though it was asked less ably and as a consequence oerklens was stuck with guessing.
– choster
Nov 15 at 19:45
3
I understod the sentence as "Modi's alphabet consists only of the capital I letter" .... which works well too, I think.
– Edheldil
Nov 16 at 12:45
8
@Kris I might accept that interpretation if the line were something like Modi's alphabet has only one letter, and that is the capital I, or Modi understands only an alphabet of the capital I, but that is not in fact the case.
– choster
Nov 16 at 14:32
9
9
So, a letter being called alphabet is an example of Indianism?
– mahmud koya
Nov 15 at 19:31
So, a letter being called alphabet is an example of Indianism?
– mahmud koya
Nov 15 at 19:31
9
9
@mahmudkoya Yes, I believe this usage originates from and is mostly used in South Asia, like good name or timepass; it seems like it is an ordinary usage there, but it would not be commonly understood or accepted, for example, in the Five Eyes countries.
– choster
Nov 15 at 19:36
@mahmudkoya Yes, I believe this usage originates from and is mostly used in South Asia, like good name or timepass; it seems like it is an ordinary usage there, but it would not be commonly understood or accepted, for example, in the Five Eyes countries.
– choster
Nov 15 at 19:36
5
5
@DanBron In fairness, this question seems to have come up before, though it was asked less ably and as a consequence oerklens was stuck with guessing.
– choster
Nov 15 at 19:45
@DanBron In fairness, this question seems to have come up before, though it was asked less ably and as a consequence oerklens was stuck with guessing.
– choster
Nov 15 at 19:45
3
3
I understod the sentence as "Modi's alphabet consists only of the capital I letter" .... which works well too, I think.
– Edheldil
Nov 16 at 12:45
I understod the sentence as "Modi's alphabet consists only of the capital I letter" .... which works well too, I think.
– Edheldil
Nov 16 at 12:45
8
8
@Kris I might accept that interpretation if the line were something like Modi's alphabet has only one letter, and that is the capital I, or Modi understands only an alphabet of the capital I, but that is not in fact the case.
– choster
Nov 16 at 14:32
@Kris I might accept that interpretation if the line were something like Modi's alphabet has only one letter, and that is the capital I, or Modi understands only an alphabet of the capital I, but that is not in fact the case.
– choster
Nov 16 at 14:32
|
show 10 more comments
up vote
21
down vote
Technically, one letter could be an alphabet. By the definition you provided, an alphabet is a set of symbols or letters. This set could theoretically contain any number of letters.
- The Latin alphabet is a single set of 26 letters.
- The Greek alphabet is a single set of 24 letters.
- The Arabic alphabet (technically abjad) is a single set of 28 letters.
- The hypothetical alphabet in the sentence is a single set of 1
letter.
So while in the sentence it is used as a hyperbole to mean that the individual thinks only of himself, it's possible that the letter I could also be an alphabet in which it is the only letter.
answered Nov 15 at 18:41
Curious_Flyer
3775
New contributor
Curious_Flyer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
+1 Good interpretation and it makes sense. Thanks!
– mahmud koya
Nov 15 at 18:53
5
This sounds nice in theory but I think the answer is rather more prosaic.
– choster
Nov 15 at 19:20
2
To be pedantic, Arabic script (and some Asian writing systems also) are not strictly speaking "alphabets" because they do not have symbols for every sound in the spoken language. For example written Arabic has no "letters" representing vowels - they are either omitted, or represented by marks over or under the consonant that precedes them. The technical term for this type of script is an abjad, not an alphabet.
– alephzero
Nov 15 at 23:20
3
Well, the letter I is not the same as the set of letters containing exactly the letter I. Consider an analogy: a wallet containing only one coin is not the same thing as the coin alone without the wallet. I find the explanation that the text contains an Indianism (the word alphabet meaning letter) more convincing.
– Giorgio
Nov 16 at 21:58
4
@Giorgio right. Technically, I ≠ {I}.
– leftaroundabout
2 days ago
|
show 6 more comments
up vote
21
down vote
Technically, one letter could be an alphabet. By the definition you provided, an alphabet is a set of symbols or letters. This set could theoretically contain any number of letters.
- The Latin alphabet is a single set of 26 letters.
- The Greek alphabet is a single set of 24 letters.
- The Arabic alphabet (technically abjad) is a single set of 28 letters.
- The hypothetical alphabet in the sentence is a single set of 1
letter.
So while in the sentence it is used as a hyperbole to mean that the individual thinks only of himself, it's possible that the letter I could also be an alphabet in which it is the only letter.
answered Nov 15 at 18:41
Curious_Flyer
3775
New contributor
Curious_Flyer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
+1 Good interpretation and it makes sense. Thanks!
– mahmud koya
Nov 15 at 18:53
5
This sounds nice in theory but I think the answer is rather more prosaic.
– choster
Nov 15 at 19:20
2
To be pedantic, Arabic script (and some Asian writing systems also) are not strictly speaking "alphabets" because they do not have symbols for every sound in the spoken language. For example written Arabic has no "letters" representing vowels - they are either omitted, or represented by marks over or under the consonant that precedes them. The technical term for this type of script is an abjad, not an alphabet.
– alephzero
Nov 15 at 23:20
3
Well, the letter I is not the same as the set of letters containing exactly the letter I. Consider an analogy: a wallet containing only one coin is not the same thing as the coin alone without the wallet. I find the explanation that the text contains an Indianism (the word alphabet meaning letter) more convincing.
– Giorgio
Nov 16 at 21:58
4
@Giorgio right. Technically, I ≠ {I}.
– leftaroundabout
2 days ago
|
show 6 more comments
up vote
21
down vote
up vote
21
down vote
Technically, one letter could be an alphabet. By the definition you provided, an alphabet is a set of symbols or letters. This set could theoretically contain any number of letters.
- The Latin alphabet is a single set of 26 letters.
- The Greek alphabet is a single set of 24 letters.
- The Arabic alphabet (technically abjad) is a single set of 28 letters.
- The hypothetical alphabet in the sentence is a single set of 1
letter.
So while in the sentence it is used as a hyperbole to mean that the individual thinks only of himself, it's possible that the letter I could also be an alphabet in which it is the only letter.
answered Nov 15 at 18:41
Curious_Flyer
3775
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Technically, one letter could be an alphabet. By the definition you provided, an alphabet is a set of symbols or letters. This set could theoretically contain any number of letters.
- The Latin alphabet is a single set of 26 letters.
- The Greek alphabet is a single set of 24 letters.
- The Arabic alphabet (technically abjad) is a single set of 28 letters.
- The hypothetical alphabet in the sentence is a single set of 1
letter.
So while in the sentence it is used as a hyperbole to mean that the individual thinks only of himself, it's possible that the letter I could also be an alphabet in which it is the only letter.
answered Nov 15 at 18:41
Curious_Flyer
3775
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edited Nov 16 at 13:35
answered Nov 15 at 18:41
Curious_Flyer
3775
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answered Nov 15 at 18:41
Curious_Flyer
3775
answered Nov 15 at 18:41
Curious_Flyer
3775
3775
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New contributor
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2
+1 Good interpretation and it makes sense. Thanks!
– mahmud koya
Nov 15 at 18:53
5
This sounds nice in theory but I think the answer is rather more prosaic.
– choster
Nov 15 at 19:20
2
To be pedantic, Arabic script (and some Asian writing systems also) are not strictly speaking "alphabets" because they do not have symbols for every sound in the spoken language. For example written Arabic has no "letters" representing vowels - they are either omitted, or represented by marks over or under the consonant that precedes them. The technical term for this type of script is an abjad, not an alphabet.
– alephzero
Nov 15 at 23:20
3
Well, the letter I is not the same as the set of letters containing exactly the letter I. Consider an analogy: a wallet containing only one coin is not the same thing as the coin alone without the wallet. I find the explanation that the text contains an Indianism (the word alphabet meaning letter) more convincing.
– Giorgio
Nov 16 at 21:58
4
@Giorgio right. Technically, I ≠ {I}.
– leftaroundabout
2 days ago
|
show 6 more comments
2
+1 Good interpretation and it makes sense. Thanks!
– mahmud koya
Nov 15 at 18:53
5
This sounds nice in theory but I think the answer is rather more prosaic.
– choster
Nov 15 at 19:20
2
To be pedantic, Arabic script (and some Asian writing systems also) are not strictly speaking "alphabets" because they do not have symbols for every sound in the spoken language. For example written Arabic has no "letters" representing vowels - they are either omitted, or represented by marks over or under the consonant that precedes them. The technical term for this type of script is an abjad, not an alphabet.
– alephzero
Nov 15 at 23:20
3
Well, the letter I is not the same as the set of letters containing exactly the letter I. Consider an analogy: a wallet containing only one coin is not the same thing as the coin alone without the wallet. I find the explanation that the text contains an Indianism (the word alphabet meaning letter) more convincing.
– Giorgio
Nov 16 at 21:58
4
@Giorgio right. Technically, I ≠ {I}.
– leftaroundabout
2 days ago
2
2
+1 Good interpretation and it makes sense. Thanks!
– mahmud koya
Nov 15 at 18:53
+1 Good interpretation and it makes sense. Thanks!
– mahmud koya
Nov 15 at 18:53
5
5
This sounds nice in theory but I think the answer is rather more prosaic.
– choster
Nov 15 at 19:20
This sounds nice in theory but I think the answer is rather more prosaic.
– choster
Nov 15 at 19:20
2
2
To be pedantic, Arabic script (and some Asian writing systems also) are not strictly speaking "alphabets" because they do not have symbols for every sound in the spoken language. For example written Arabic has no "letters" representing vowels - they are either omitted, or represented by marks over or under the consonant that precedes them. The technical term for this type of script is an abjad, not an alphabet.
– alephzero
Nov 15 at 23:20
To be pedantic, Arabic script (and some Asian writing systems also) are not strictly speaking "alphabets" because they do not have symbols for every sound in the spoken language. For example written Arabic has no "letters" representing vowels - they are either omitted, or represented by marks over or under the consonant that precedes them. The technical term for this type of script is an abjad, not an alphabet.
– alephzero
Nov 15 at 23:20
3
3
Well, the letter I is not the same as the set of letters containing exactly the letter I. Consider an analogy: a wallet containing only one coin is not the same thing as the coin alone without the wallet. I find the explanation that the text contains an Indianism (the word alphabet meaning letter) more convincing.
– Giorgio
Nov 16 at 21:58
Well, the letter I is not the same as the set of letters containing exactly the letter I. Consider an analogy: a wallet containing only one coin is not the same thing as the coin alone without the wallet. I find the explanation that the text contains an Indianism (the word alphabet meaning letter) more convincing.
– Giorgio
Nov 16 at 21:58
4
4
@Giorgio right. Technically, I ≠ {I}.
– leftaroundabout
2 days ago
@Giorgio right. Technically, I ≠ {I}.
– leftaroundabout
2 days ago
|
show 6 more comments
up vote
0
down vote
"Modi understands only one alphabet, and that is the capital I" is an example of a metaphor in which Modi's understanding of a well known concept (the English alphabet) is being compared to an imaginary "alphabet" that only contains the letter "I". Even the lower case "i" is excluded from the imaginary alphabet to emphasise some selfish characteristic about Modi that Dr. Shashi Tharoor wants to emphasise, because "i/I" is only used alone in its capital form.
Thus, Dr. Shashi Tharoor is saying that Modi's utterances are restricted to: I, I, I, ...
answered yesterday
jimalton
693
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
"Modi understands only one alphabet, and that is the capital I" is an example of a metaphor in which Modi's understanding of a well known concept (the English alphabet) is being compared to an imaginary "alphabet" that only contains the letter "I". Even the lower case "i" is excluded from the imaginary alphabet to emphasise some selfish characteristic about Modi that Dr. Shashi Tharoor wants to emphasise, because "i/I" is only used alone in its capital form.
Thus, Dr. Shashi Tharoor is saying that Modi's utterances are restricted to: I, I, I, ...
answered yesterday
jimalton
693
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
"Modi understands only one alphabet, and that is the capital I" is an example of a metaphor in which Modi's understanding of a well known concept (the English alphabet) is being compared to an imaginary "alphabet" that only contains the letter "I". Even the lower case "i" is excluded from the imaginary alphabet to emphasise some selfish characteristic about Modi that Dr. Shashi Tharoor wants to emphasise, because "i/I" is only used alone in its capital form.
Thus, Dr. Shashi Tharoor is saying that Modi's utterances are restricted to: I, I, I, ...
answered yesterday
jimalton
693
"Modi understands only one alphabet, and that is the capital I" is an example of a metaphor in which Modi's understanding of a well known concept (the English alphabet) is being compared to an imaginary "alphabet" that only contains the letter "I". Even the lower case "i" is excluded from the imaginary alphabet to emphasise some selfish characteristic about Modi that Dr. Shashi Tharoor wants to emphasise, because "i/I" is only used alone in its capital form.
Thus, Dr. Shashi Tharoor is saying that Modi's utterances are restricted to: I, I, I, ...
answered yesterday
jimalton
693
answered yesterday
jimalton
693
answered yesterday
jimalton
693
answered yesterday
jimalton
693
693
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
A "letter" does not provide as much context as an "alphabet" e.g. "e is the 5th letter" vs "e is the 5th alphabet".
The author could draw out on his views regarding Modi by stating - Modi ONLY understands the alphabet I (of all the alphabets).
So it is correct and in fact warranted in this case to convey the meaning.
answered Nov 16 at 13:21
kSiddharth
112
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kSiddharth is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
4
Just so you know, outside India, English speakers don’t and can’t use “alphabet” when they want to convey “letter”. It doesn’t have that meaning. And “e” is the 5th letter does mean, to most English speakers, what you phrasing as “the 5th alphabet”. The first is completely unambiguous and clear; the second would just confuse most people (like the original poster here was confused). Clarifying this difference between Indian English and the more common English is why the first answer has so many votes: the phrase was confusing and mysterious to most, and the answer solves the mystery.
– Dan Bron
Nov 16 at 14:37
Now that I look at it with a fresh set of eyes, it does make sense to use the word letter. Good to know @Dan Bron
– kSiddharth
Nov 16 at 17:31
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
A "letter" does not provide as much context as an "alphabet" e.g. "e is the 5th letter" vs "e is the 5th alphabet".
The author could draw out on his views regarding Modi by stating - Modi ONLY understands the alphabet I (of all the alphabets).
So it is correct and in fact warranted in this case to convey the meaning.
answered Nov 16 at 13:21
kSiddharth
112
New contributor
kSiddharth is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
4
Just so you know, outside India, English speakers don’t and can’t use “alphabet” when they want to convey “letter”. It doesn’t have that meaning. And “e” is the 5th letter does mean, to most English speakers, what you phrasing as “the 5th alphabet”. The first is completely unambiguous and clear; the second would just confuse most people (like the original poster here was confused). Clarifying this difference between Indian English and the more common English is why the first answer has so many votes: the phrase was confusing and mysterious to most, and the answer solves the mystery.
– Dan Bron
Nov 16 at 14:37
Now that I look at it with a fresh set of eyes, it does make sense to use the word letter. Good to know @Dan Bron
– kSiddharth
Nov 16 at 17:31
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
up vote
-1
down vote
A "letter" does not provide as much context as an "alphabet" e.g. "e is the 5th letter" vs "e is the 5th alphabet".
The author could draw out on his views regarding Modi by stating - Modi ONLY understands the alphabet I (of all the alphabets).
So it is correct and in fact warranted in this case to convey the meaning.
answered Nov 16 at 13:21
kSiddharth
112
New contributor
kSiddharth is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
A "letter" does not provide as much context as an "alphabet" e.g. "e is the 5th letter" vs "e is the 5th alphabet".
The author could draw out on his views regarding Modi by stating - Modi ONLY understands the alphabet I (of all the alphabets).
So it is correct and in fact warranted in this case to convey the meaning.
answered Nov 16 at 13:21
kSiddharth
112
New contributor
kSiddharth is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited Nov 16 at 13:39
answered Nov 16 at 13:21
kSiddharth
112
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answered Nov 16 at 13:21
kSiddharth
112
answered Nov 16 at 13:21
kSiddharth
112
112
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kSiddharth is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
kSiddharth is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
kSiddharth is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
4
Just so you know, outside India, English speakers don’t and can’t use “alphabet” when they want to convey “letter”. It doesn’t have that meaning. And “e” is the 5th letter does mean, to most English speakers, what you phrasing as “the 5th alphabet”. The first is completely unambiguous and clear; the second would just confuse most people (like the original poster here was confused). Clarifying this difference between Indian English and the more common English is why the first answer has so many votes: the phrase was confusing and mysterious to most, and the answer solves the mystery.
– Dan Bron
Nov 16 at 14:37
Now that I look at it with a fresh set of eyes, it does make sense to use the word letter. Good to know @Dan Bron
– kSiddharth
Nov 16 at 17:31
add a comment |
4
Just so you know, outside India, English speakers don’t and can’t use “alphabet” when they want to convey “letter”. It doesn’t have that meaning. And “e” is the 5th letter does mean, to most English speakers, what you phrasing as “the 5th alphabet”. The first is completely unambiguous and clear; the second would just confuse most people (like the original poster here was confused). Clarifying this difference between Indian English and the more common English is why the first answer has so many votes: the phrase was confusing and mysterious to most, and the answer solves the mystery.
– Dan Bron
Nov 16 at 14:37
Now that I look at it with a fresh set of eyes, it does make sense to use the word letter. Good to know @Dan Bron
– kSiddharth
Nov 16 at 17:31
4
4
Just so you know, outside India, English speakers don’t and can’t use “alphabet” when they want to convey “letter”. It doesn’t have that meaning. And “e” is the 5th letter does mean, to most English speakers, what you phrasing as “the 5th alphabet”. The first is completely unambiguous and clear; the second would just confuse most people (like the original poster here was confused). Clarifying this difference between Indian English and the more common English is why the first answer has so many votes: the phrase was confusing and mysterious to most, and the answer solves the mystery.
– Dan Bron
Nov 16 at 14:37
Just so you know, outside India, English speakers don’t and can’t use “alphabet” when they want to convey “letter”. It doesn’t have that meaning. And “e” is the 5th letter does mean, to most English speakers, what you phrasing as “the 5th alphabet”. The first is completely unambiguous and clear; the second would just confuse most people (like the original poster here was confused). Clarifying this difference between Indian English and the more common English is why the first answer has so many votes: the phrase was confusing and mysterious to most, and the answer solves the mystery.
– Dan Bron
Nov 16 at 14:37
Now that I look at it with a fresh set of eyes, it does make sense to use the word letter. Good to know @Dan Bron
– kSiddharth
Nov 16 at 17:31
Now that I look at it with a fresh set of eyes, it does make sense to use the word letter. Good to know @Dan Bron
– kSiddharth
Nov 16 at 17:31
add a comment |
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