| 词组 | standpoint |
| 释义 | standpoint Standpoint came into English in the first half of the 19th century as a translation of or a coinage on the model of German Standpunkt. American commentators began to disparage it as early as Richard Grant White 1870. It was subsequently criticized in William Cullen Bryant's 1877 Index Expurgatorius, Ayres 1881, Long 1888, Vizetelly 1906, and Bierce 1909. What was the problem? Richard Grant White recognized but dismissed the connection with the German word; he rejected standpoint on the basis of a rule for English compounds that he seems to have devised on his own. Compounds like washtub, cookstove, and standpoint are ill formed, he says. Their initial element should be a participle. But even standing point, he concludes, is inferior to point of view. Bryant, Ayres, Vizetelly, and Bierce offered no reasons for their disapproval. Long 1888 did, though, saying "Point of view is preferable to standpoint; as the latter expression is logically absurd; one cannot stand on a point." The weakness of that argument has been pointed out by Bernstein 1971, who tartly observes that many a West Point cadet would be interested to learn that it is impossible to stand on a point. The real problem with standpoint, of course, was simply that it was a new and popular word. As it has continued to be popular but has ceased to be new, the old antagonism toward it has gradually died out. There may still be a few editors with long memories who dislike standpoint, but its place in standard English has long been established, and usage commentators now generally ignore it altogether. Here are a few examples of its use: • From this standpoint the drama may be said to have begun —G. K. Chesterton, reprinted in The Pocket Book of Father Brown, 1946 • ... depends a great deal on the standpoint from which one regards it —Robert M. Coates, New Yorker, 16 Dec. 1950 • ... a success from the standpoint of free speech and the protection of dissent —Herbert L. Packer, N. Y. Rev. of Books, 6 Nov. 1969 • ... to find a standpoint from which to view all societies —Times Literary Supp., 27 July 1967 See also point of view; viewpoint. |
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