First English lesson at Harvard: Don’t modify “unique”

Here’s a story that will bring cheer to Yale and Princeton alums…

I donated blood yesterday at Children’s Hospital and then went over to Harvard Medical School to visit a friend. Just outside his office was the following poster:

Underneath a headline of “Learn English at Harvard” the first sentence asks “Ready for a truly unique learning experience?”

5 thoughts on “First English lesson at Harvard: Don’t modify “unique”

  1. Phil,

    Harvard is tough enough to withstand a little teasing. But I wonder whether there was a point to its use of “truly unique” that you overlooked. “Unique” means one of a kind, so, you’re right, no adjective is necessary or appropriate, usually. But sometimes people claim their goods or services are “unique,” when in fact, they’re not. Maybe what Harvard was saying is that it’s English training program really is.

    Lon

  2. I think “truly” is OK here, but I’m concerned that the flyer might not be written in the right language for non-English readers.

  3. Heh. To be fair, “truly” could legitimately distinguish actual uniquity from an impostor. But then again, how unique can learning English really be? I suppose no other school can teach you English at Harvard, but is that all the distinction lies in? Or if I study English at Harvard, will I come out sounding like Thurston Howell III or something? (Wait — everyone knows Howell was a Yale man!)

  4. DL, Thurston Howell 3 was a Harvard man. When confronted with an uncouth eater, he exclaimed “Good heavens, a Yale man!”

    Maybe Harvard should describe their course as the “most greatest” of its kind. Muhammed Ali would approve.

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