Comment on xkcd #3143: Question Mark
Toldry@lemmy.world 1 day agoyou’re thinking too much like a computer.
in human speech, when “quote unquote” is used, it’s typically obvious when the quote ends from the tone and pace of what is said.
the function of “quote unquote” is to reduce the awkwardness and increase the impact of reciting a quote by obviating the need to state the word “unquote” at the end of a quote.
compare:
He ended every speech with quote and carthege must be destroyed unquoto
with
He ended each speech with quote unquote carthege must be destroyed
Try saying both of those out loud. I think you’ll agree that the second one sounds less awkward and more impactful
squaresinger@lemmy.world 1 day ago
That’s why in most other languages (and that works in english too), if you don’t want to specifically mark the end of your quote, you just say something like “And the he said, I quote, your mom is so fat that she has her own gravitational well.”
No need or point to put an unnecesary “end quote” marker before the beginning of your quote.