Date:  Tue, 14 Dec 1993 10:14:10 CST

From:  Dennis Baron <debaron[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]UIUC.EDU>

Subject: Re: Ages and Centuries



Don,



I've heard modren in NYC and out here in central IL. I myself use it

ironically, as do others, so I assume there is a wide enough base out

there to support the irony. Btw, the Renaissance, whatever century

it occurred in, named itself, or so I am led to believe. I know that

modern is relative, and my designation of the 20c as modern should

convey a sense of irony: we call ourselves modern to separate ourselves

from what came before. Or postmodern, as is more and more common.

Modern in the sense modern art may indeed become frozen, attached to

20c art thru the 50s or 60s. The use of modern, postmodern, and

contemporary is an interesting one. As is the distinction (if any)

between MnEnglish and Present-Day English. Is there postmodern English?

Will we define our own period, as the Renaissance did (may have done?)

or will it be defined for us next century? Sorry to be so philosophical.

I'm trying not to grade papers.



Dennis

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