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Re: [SIGHTINGS]: an ADA gene
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On 11/10/07 18:36, "Fet, Victor" <fet@MARSHALL.EDU> wrote:
> All ADA-philes probably should be informed about the existence of an important
> human gene called ADA.
> The gene ³encodes adenosine deaminase, an enzyme that catalyzes the
> irreversible deamination of adenosine and deoxyadenosine in the purine
> catabolic pathway².
> This enigmatic [my emphasis -- skb] phrase means a very serious genetic
> disease if a gene is defective (SCID, severe combined immunodeficiency).
> The phrase somehow has a vivid visual and acoustic strength, with its
> sculptural DEA SINE [pronounced ³ZEEN²] - ZY - YZE DEOXY , leading by the
> end to an expanded ³pure Cathay². Probably an illusion, often found in
> technical languages, understood only by those who practice a certain trade.
> More (very technical) information is at:
> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/dispomim.cgi?id=608958
> Victor Fet
>
> Delayed reaction! ADA, as you know, is also a high-level computer-programming
> language named for Ada Countess of Lovelace (Byron's daughter), presumed
> mistress of pioneer Charles Babbage. At least Ada (known as the 'First
> Programmer') brought some Ardor and Algorasm [sic] into his life.
>
> Victor: not sure if your precise definition of the ADA gene merits the term
> 'enigmatic.' We have a sequence of technical words well-known/knowable to
> those who need or care to know! The advantage of such 'jargon' is its almost
> total lack of enigma and ambiguity. Unlike, say, Shade's verse where everyday
> words trip and drip along with taxing (but enjoyable) polysemy.
>
> In fact, you could say that the most enigmatic word in the gene definition is
> the use of 'pathway!' Whenever science tries to avoid 'jargon' by borrowing
> from the layperson's lexis, it runs the risk of misinterpretation. (Compare
> the reckless LitCrit bandying of 'symmetry,' out of synch with its modern
> mathematical glories.) Biochemical 'pathways' are far from being the
> common-or-garden footpaths between geographical locations. But that route
> leads us into the semantic swampland of 'literal' vs 'metaphorical' language
> (I claim a false dichotomy there), and whether VN was a linguist, a
> linguistician or 'just' a master-exploiter of several Indo-European family
> members.
>
> Stan Kelly-Bootle
> ACM Curmudgeon columnist.
>
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> All ADA-philes probably should be informed about the existence of an important
> human gene called ADA.
> The gene ³encodes adenosine deaminase, an enzyme that catalyzes the
> irreversible deamination of adenosine and deoxyadenosine in the purine
> catabolic pathway².
> This enigmatic [my emphasis -- skb] phrase means a very serious genetic
> disease if a gene is defective (SCID, severe combined immunodeficiency).
> The phrase somehow has a vivid visual and acoustic strength, with its
> sculptural DEA SINE [pronounced ³ZEEN²] - ZY - YZE DEOXY , leading by the
> end to an expanded ³pure Cathay². Probably an illusion, often found in
> technical languages, understood only by those who practice a certain trade.
> More (very technical) information is at:
> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/dispomim.cgi?id=608958
> Victor Fet
>
> Delayed reaction! ADA, as you know, is also a high-level computer-programming
> language named for Ada Countess of Lovelace (Byron's daughter), presumed
> mistress of pioneer Charles Babbage. At least Ada (known as the 'First
> Programmer') brought some Ardor and Algorasm [sic] into his life.
>
> Victor: not sure if your precise definition of the ADA gene merits the term
> 'enigmatic.' We have a sequence of technical words well-known/knowable to
> those who need or care to know! The advantage of such 'jargon' is its almost
> total lack of enigma and ambiguity. Unlike, say, Shade's verse where everyday
> words trip and drip along with taxing (but enjoyable) polysemy.
>
> In fact, you could say that the most enigmatic word in the gene definition is
> the use of 'pathway!' Whenever science tries to avoid 'jargon' by borrowing
> from the layperson's lexis, it runs the risk of misinterpretation. (Compare
> the reckless LitCrit bandying of 'symmetry,' out of synch with its modern
> mathematical glories.) Biochemical 'pathways' are far from being the
> common-or-garden footpaths between geographical locations. But that route
> leads us into the semantic swampland of 'literal' vs 'metaphorical' language
> (I claim a false dichotomy there), and whether VN was a linguist, a
> linguistician or 'just' a master-exploiter of several Indo-European family
> members.
>
> Stan Kelly-Bootle
> ACM Curmudgeon columnist.
>
Search the archive: http://listserv.ucsb.edu/archives/nabokv-l.html
Search archive with Google:
http://www.google.com/advanced_search?q=site:listserv.ucsb.edu&HL=en
Contact the Editors: mailto:nabokv-l@utk.edu,nabokv-l@holycross.edu
Visit Zembla: http://www.libraries.psu.edu/nabokov/zembla.htm
View Nabokv-L policies: http://web.utk.edu/~sblackwe/EDNote.htm