Caryn Gootkin
After studying languages at UCT and law at UNISA and Cambridge, Caryn Gootkin practised as a lawyer for nine years before realising that her true passion was for words and the way they are used and abused. She has recently started in other words providing copy editing, proofreading and plain language rewriting services. Contact: caryn@cybersmart.co.za / www.inotherwordscg.co.za cell: 084 703 0777 | fax: 086 692 0391
Caryn Gootkin's Recent Articles
Plain language: a verbal detox
8 May 2012 - CommunicationsCaryn Gootkin revisits her favourite hunting ground with a fresh perspective. It’s been a while since I used this column to beat the plain language drum. In October last year we ...
The case of the Halaal matzah pudding and other PC treats
26 April 2012 - OpinionFollowing her last column on religious fanaticism and the Woolies Halaal hot cross bun fiasco, Caryn Gootkin looks at political correctness, Google and matzah puddings, in no particular order. My first ...
Karl Marx and the Halaal hot cross bun debacle
19 April 2012 - OpinionCaryn Gootkin was amused at the outrage with which some Christians swallowed the news that their Easter treats carried Halaal certification. It made her think about how manically we defend ...
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Skollie
28 March 2012 - OpinionCaryn Gootkin was offended by the name her neighbourhood watch used to enlist volunteers for a midnight mountain patrol. Unsure whether her outrage was justified, she explored the meaning and ...
Why is the Famous Five series no longer a jolly good read?
14 March 2012 - OpinionCaryn Gootkin bemoans the modernising of classic children’s books. The words and expressions which so aptly captured the flavour of their era are gone and in their place are bland ...
Sticks and stones may break my bones but (misspelled) names will ruin my day
17 February 2012 - CommunicationsCaryn Gootkin looks at the contribution our names make to our identity and issues a warning to those careless enough to mess with hers. Our given names are an integral part ...
