The While vs. Whilst Chestnut.

I was in Adelaide earlier this week. While I was making my way to the city I saw a sign that read ‘Airport Parking – Park Whilst You Are Away!”. I couldn't help but feel a little offended and I couldn't put my finger on it at first. I've been deliberating ever since and I think that it all comes down to the fact that I've never decided which side of the fence I sit on during the ‘while’ vs. ‘whilst’ argument.

I often draw my own conclusions while (whilst) I'm writing, I thought I’d fight it out on page.

Ultimately, the use of either word is decided by which option suits the style of your writing. In my writing I have used both. Professionally, I tend to use ‘whilst’ frequently, particularly in corporate or more formal writing, even though people nowadays think it’s old-fashioned.

According to dailywritingtips.com “While was in use in Old English; whilst is a Middle English development of while. As conjunctions they are interchangeable in meaning, but whilst has not survived in standard American English.”

Wikipedia says that ‘whilst is synonymous with while in standard English’ and that most style guides (both English and American) disapprove of the use of ‘whilst’.

 But according to www.onlinegrammar.com.au there is a belief among some grammar experts that there is a subtle difference: 
While should be used in relation to time. Here is a little example: While I was making my way to the city I saw a sign that read ‘Airport Parking – Park Whilst You Are Away!”.

Whereas whilst should be used when the meaning is ‘although’. 
For example: Whilst I use the word frequently, I couldn't help but feel a little offended.

I think that the most important thing is to choose one version to suit to style of your document and stick with it for consistency and clarity. If you are unsure if ‘whilst’ fits the context of your document (if you are intending to to mean 'although'), then simply use 'although'. For example: Although I use the word frequently, I couldn't help but feel a little offended.

 Most of the major newspapers and news websites use this approach however, you may see the odd slip in an opinion column. For this blog, I’d be more inclined to stay away from ‘whilst’. This is a casual, conversational publication and I try to keep it as close to the way I’d speak as possible. I don’t believe I’ve ever verbalised the word ‘whilst’ in a sentence (I think…).

In closing, I still don’t feel that I've come to rest on either side of the fence for this argument. I don’t think I’d ever discount ‘whilst’ from my written vocabulary, however I think there is a time and a place and that ‘Park Whilst You Are Away!’ is not the time, nor the place. What do you think?

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

I use Leonardo Da Vinci's 15th century old quote to reflect and discuss my thoughts and approach to writing.  What I love about the concept of simplicity is that it can imply beauty, purity or clarity. From a creative or engineering perspective, simplicity lends itself to harmonious design both aesthetically and structurally.  Consider how it would appear if we were to apply it to our communication style. We would first need to overcome our initial fears that a simplistic approach would automatically detract from our message, but beyond that we can begin to look for a balance.  

I like to think of it like this; when we read someone else’s writing we are listening to them - we hear their thinking.  So much of what I read on websites, in advertising and in business documents makes me wonder if people are thinking clearly.  Allow me to explain...

The main problem that I see in writing today, particularly in the business context, is that there is too much information and not enough focus.  We are quick to add complexity to our messages, perhaps through the belief that it adds rigor to our argument and enhances our persuasive influence. The result is a document or article that is utterly confusing.  However, the solution isn’t ‘to dumb down’ the content, but rather ‘to smarten up’.

I have a very simple tip that I can bestow.  Before I write, I ask myself (via my inner monologue) ‘so what?’ and it usually sounds like this: 

This face cream is designed to tone, tighten and firm your skin.

My inner monologue: So what?

This face cream is designed to tone, tighten and firm your skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

My inner monologue: So what?

This face cream is designed to tone, tighten and firm your skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles.  This will create a younger, more attractive appearance.

This design considers the reader, and what they might be wanting the achieve.  As a closing thought, consider the following:  "How we write positions our message - more or less successfully.  But is also brands us.  It says something about who we are, what we value, how straight we think, how much trouble we take, how dependable we are.  How you write is who you are. So, who do you want to be?" - Tredinnick and Whyte (2010).