Question to all English speakers about the word "playback"
Question to all English speakers about the word "playback"
deleted user 03.08.2004 20:04
A very good friend of mine is British and we've just had a discussion about the use of bogus English in German (it's become a common feature of the German language to make use of bogus English terms which don't actually exist in "proper" English. The most common example is "Handy" which - for some strange reason - is what many Germans call a mobile phone.), which ended up in a prolonged argument over the word "playback".
In German, "playback" is most commonly used in reference to mimed performances in music.
Now, my mate claims that "playback" is a completely bogus term, which was invented by the Germans and doesn't actually exist in proper English, whereas I insist that, whilst "playback" may not be used in exactly the same way, it very well does exist in proper English and that it is commonly used as a technical term in the field of sound recording.
As chances are high that he will dismiss any text featuring the word "playback" (that I'd come up with via a Google-search) as not being proper English or influenced by the bogus German use of the word, I'd like to ask all native English (preferably British English speakers, as he most probably won't count American English as "proper" English) speakers to confirm (or disprove) my standpoint. Thus, this thread could both put an end to this - admittedly - pretty ridiculous debate and serve as a source of great satisfaction to the opinionated git that I happen to be.
Many thanks in advance !
In Indian films the term "playback singer" refers not to the actors / actresses who mime on film but to the original singers.
Hasn't answered your question but a useful reference.
As far as i know, playback is a proper English word... but If I'm wrong, i'm sure someone soon will correct me.
But it does make you think about words and their uses in other countries!
Many thanks Bob and Agneepath, this starts to feel good.
Please keep 'em coming. It would be great to have a quantity of confirmations that won't leave any room for my mate to further doubt this fact (he's hard to convince).