To "A" or not to "A" Revelations from ex

[Haugan]

I have gotten "called" from time to time on usage of the term "Tubaist" to describe "one who plays the tuba". "What are you, stupid? Tubist is spelled WITHOUT the "A"!" It rings in my OWN head since this is a relatively new development on my part. I've spelled it "tubist" along with everyone else for 30 years, and remarked negatively in kind to the misspelling "tubAist". Somehow though, tubist never seemed quite right. Since the "new millinium" or 2000, I feel compelled to reopen a new debate that was considered "closed" some 35 years ago, when a vote amongst the members of a neophyte "T.U.B.A." established TUBIST to be correct.

A visit to the hallowed halls of Oxford University's Department of English while on tour of England with the "Illinois Brass Band" answered for me a burning question: Is "t-u-b-i-s-t" or "t-u-b-A-i-s-t" indeed "correct"?

For those unfamiliar with Oxford University (if that's possible), it is the oldest University in existence, and the cradle of the study of the English language. The Oxford Dictionary of English is considered to be the ultimate authority on the English language by the bulk of those who pursue English as a course of study, and Oxford University boasts the most highly developed English department of any in the world. (sorry Cambridge, no brag - just fact)

I had the day off in Oxford - It was by pure happenstance that I encountered the English Department, but it seemed an oppertune time to consult an "absolute" source on English etymology (the study of word origin and usage) and research what had always seemed somehow "wrong" to me - this term: "tubist".

I entered with some degree of trepidation; I felt I might be disturbing someone with a question so trivial or bizarre as to be put off or considered foolish, but it was to prove the opposite. I proceeded inside and inquired as to where I could find an "etymology expert" or "a professor who specialized in the declention of words". I was directed to an elder professor who greeted me in a most kind and enthusiastic manner as to put me totally at ease with what seemed to him to be a fascinating question: Is tubist or tubaist correct? He was particularly amused and interested at how the language could be determined "with a vote!?" [in America perhaps alone?]

We discussed at some length the original justification for tubist - Piano-pianist, oboe-oboist, viola-violist and the like; the function of the "a" and actual pronounciation (implied or otherwise); links back to the Old Latin of the word tuba itself; all the while him witholding his expert albeit already decided opinion on the matter. It was clear this uniquely fascinating individual was as great a TEACHER as he was an English expert by the thought provoking way he approached his explanation.

Ultimately, he gave me his answer. I had known he had withheld it from the beginning, perhaps to help give me the incentive, drive and ammunition to fully consider what I might be up against in trying to change people's minds in the future.

"There IS really only one correct answer, but English survives not on the basis of rules but usage" he began. "It seems a thirty year mistake COULD be reversed."

My suspicions confirmed, he further stated: "A tubist by definition within the English language is either an "expert in tubes" or "someone who plays [washtub] bass (in music)" Not TOO far off, at least, for those who will undoubtedly insist on clinging to the term. "Ultimately the best way to test a theory is to put it to the general public. When they see ALONE (without context) the term tubist/tubaist, what is their reaction? He bid me "Good luck at fighting the tide, it seems you may have a long pull ahead." (General tubist character and the TUBA/ITEA had also entered the discussion)

I was to test the [contextless] usage experiment some months later, when a "man on the street" (literally) poll confirmed that "Joe Average" can figure out what a "tubaist" is (considering he knows what a tuba is) while the term "tubist" tends to stupify most people into a number of answers ranging from "somebody who takes too many baths a week" to "a whitewater recreation enthusiast". I must confess, I only polled some 50 people (not considered a high enough number scientifically to be truely demonstrative) but the trends became evident early on - let the opposition establish it's own standard.

Since that day some 6 years ago, I have joined the ranks of those who spell "Tubist" "wrong". TUBAIST. Feels good. Has a TUBA in it. God only knows we can be WRONG when we vote.

Just for extra measure, I returned to Oxford University in November 2005 via the wonder of the internet to poll 16 professors (the worlds leading authorities on English, if you will)
and recieved varied responses (one kind professor sent me what amounted to a THESIS on the question) but the experts seem to be in nearly total (the dissenter opted for "tubaplayer")agreement: TUBAIST is the correct word to use to describe "One who plays the tuba"

FLAME AWAY - for once I feel fireproof. The big guns are on my side on this one. TUBAIST, Tubaist, tubaist. Ahhhhh, it just FEELS good. Its got a TUBA in it.

(reprinted from www.TubaNews. com with permission by author)

[UDELBR]

TUBA/ITEA have voted "Tubist", so that is the American spelling.

Uh, no; that just means it's the ITEA-approved spelling. ITEA doesn't get to push around the entire American / English language, nor dictate to 300,000,000 people.

Uncle ("tuba operator") Beer

[Chuck(G)]

You're all just feeling inferior because Chekov never wrote a short story about a tuba player.

[iiipopes]

Heavens forbid! You have now condemned us and linked us permanently with the woodwinds: a flute player is a flautist!!

Oh, the humanity of it all!

[phoenix]

let's just avoid the problem altogether and call ourselves tuba players!

[Chuck(G)]

So a few professors at Oxford University get to dictate how everyone speaks the English language? .

I suppose if you wanted to go all the way with the Oxford thing, you'd pronouce it:

CHEW-bah-isst

[Alex C]

I give Harvey Phillips credit (blame) for using and promoting the term "tubist." I first heard it in the late 70's and griped about it. Finally, I saw it in a Webster's Collegiate Dictionary and decided to challenge "tubist" vs. "tubaist."

I wrote and explained, very logically, to the editors at Websters that the term "tubist" could refer to one who works with tubs or one who makes tubes whereas "tubaist" can only refer to one who plays the tuba.

Their reply ended my complaints. It seems that it is <b>not</b> professors in Oxford who determine which spellings and definitions go into a dictionary but common usage. At the time, Webster's had two recent usages for "tubist" (meaning: one who plays the tuba) and none for "tubaist."

They kindly pointed out that my logic was good. My next step would be to have newspapers, magazines and other print media adopt my preference; once that was done, they would have been happy to consider "tubaist" as an addition or replacement.

They also said that there had been a heated debate over the two terms. I guess they didn't get out very often.

[Haugan]

Indeed EVERYBODY's post has been "Right" so far, regardless of font size. USAGE will determine the eventual outcome.

I remember the Tubaist/Tubist Debate well, and as a green 16 or 17 year old stepped aside to defer to my elders, trusting them to make the right decision. At that time, The "T.U.B.A. Journal" was a three paged mimiographed newsletter, and the "membership" was a handful of dedicated TUBAPLAYERS and a gaggle of college students.

Though there was some "scholarly" debate (I think a few went so far as to ask their local university professor for an opinion) a VOTE of T.U.B.A. membership was taken to determine the outcome. Now, I'm not anti-democratic, but would you let T.U.B.A. vote on whether or not the U.S. should invade China, or opt for surgery over chemotherapy on your mom's cancer?

We may have been TUBA experts; but leave etymological decisions up to a "club" of Laungage Experts rather than the whims of the (un?)educated masses. We're best served leaving VOTING to determine SOCIAL POLICY rather than speech and language.

It's not too late to admit a 35 year old error. The 800+ odd year old "rules" of English aren't going to change just to favor the "correctness" of the term "tubist" in 150 years. Admitting error and taking a different course of action beats going down in history as being stubborn, stupid, and wrong. Ask Gen. George Armstrong Custer.

Hey, there's nothing wrong with tuba player or tubaplayer for that matter. I could see a compromise. But tubist? Not anymore for me, baby. I play the tuba, not the tube. I KNOW "tubist" is "wrong" now, and will continue to use "tubaist", even at the expense of pissing off a lot of close friends. Sorry guys, I've got to defer to the experts on this one.

[oldbandnerd]

Is it a baritone or a euphonium ? What the hell is a euphonium any ?

[Haugan]

Defer to a bunch of "stuffy" old English professors? Those who KNOW me know my defiance of academia is nearly the stuff of legend. I DO know where to turn to educate myself, though. It's one of the life skills I've developed since I had the option to "run away and join the circus" when I was 15. In hopes to clarify my "poll" of professors, I should mention that I chose Oxford's roster of professors as a springboard from which I could contact those SCHOLARS most noted as English EXPERTS. Not everyone I polled was ACTIVELY teaching at Oxford. Some were retired, and others Oxford affiliates. I simply was seeking out EXPERTISE. I did keep myself isolated to the United Kingdom, though. After all, It's THEIR language.

As Americans, we just VOTED on using it. O.K., it's OURS now too. It won by one vote over German. Sometimes VOTING on English usage DOES make a difference. Save that one guy, we'de all be using German now.; or should I say "Ausser Der Einziger Kerl[dass auf Englisch vorgeschlagen hatte], werden wir alle jetz Deutsch brauchen. Ouch, that hurt. Our mutual use of language has certainly influenced the outcome of history. Thank God for democracy.
Tatakata, Paulo

Footnote:Isn't it interesting how thoroughly I can jam my foot in my own mouth from post to post? Comes with the territory.

[Chuck(G)]

Let's see how the vote works out in Google:

Tuba Player (in English) 161,000 hits
Tubist (in English): 37,600 hits
Tubaist (in English): 790 hits


Parenthetically, I do find "tubaist" on Norwegian and Danish pages.

So, if you go by common usage, "tuba player" it is.

[Tom Holtz]

Ceremonial Sousaphone Operations Professional, thank you very much.

[ai698]

tubsist:

Not quite. Tubist- http://www.blueman.com/image/newwork/mg ... 00x600.bmp

[ai698]

niiiiiiiiice tubists:

We have a winner!!!

[Z-Tuba Dude]

niiiiiiiiice tubists:

There is no more question in my mind, about which one I'm voting for!

[GC]

dictionary.com lists both spellings. Of course, since it's on the internet it's just GOT to be right.

[Rick Denney]

Did you glean from those august philologists their recommended pronunciation (not that pronunciation was ever something an American could ask in Merrie Old) of Tubaist?

"Too-baste"?

It sounds like a five-year-old with no front teeth requesting the substance needed to scrub what remains.

Now, "Tuba-Ist" requires that glottal stop that is just not a happy thing for English speakers, even those who pass the hours reading in the Bodleian Library. We just like having a consonant between unaccented syllables where possible, unless the i comes first. I submit that however it is spelled, "Tub-ist" is how it's going to be pronounced no matter what. This is of great significance to groups who depend by necessity on an oral tradition, including tuba players. I suspect your field investigation required showing the subjects the printed word.

My complaint with both these alternatives emerges from a prior responsibility. Long before I was granted a probationary membership in SAPS I was the Honorary Overseer Laude Est of the Anti-Snob Snobs. In my role as A.S.S./HOLE I was compelled to search for terms that serve only keep the word "bloviate" in the language. "Tubist" comes to mind, with "Tubaist" being the same word with country decor. You know, stencilled borders. Given my expertise on bloviating, I feel compelled to promulgate a term that communicates more and impresses less, despite that such is demonstrably at odds with my own authorial sensibilities.

I've settled for Tuba Player to describe myself to non-musicians. Or, Tuba Owner or Tuba Collector, the former for musicians (or tubists posing thereof), and the latter for my wife.

Rick "whose wife is a banjist" Denney

[MikeMason]

in a vain attempt to bring this thread back to the serious, i submit that "tuba player" be used in conversation and "tubaist" be used in print,ie,concert programs...

[Haugan]

I think Mike's idea makes the most sense. It's been what I've been doing for the last 5 years, save when I'm around musicians where "tubaist" proununced roughly <Tooba(h)ist> would be readily understood. Why not make Tubaplayer one word rather than two? The Germans do this all the time and after all, it is THEIR instrument. (Here I go again, opening wide in preparation for my foot)

[Haugan]

Gee Rick, sorry you failed at that bloviate thing. Why didn't they demote you?