Language Columnist
Wall Street Journal
Jersey City
Comments
While I came to the LIA experience as something of an outsider (I'm a language columnist rather than a verbal identity professional), I was quickly made to feel right at home by our Jury President Chris West and the rest of the jurors. I discovered that my fellow jurors shared my deep and abiding passion for understanding how people can be affected by the skillful use of language, from an individual word or brand name all the way up to extended advertising copy. It was wonderful to get deep into the weeds with them, geeking out over the subtle linguistic nuances that lend flavor and coloring to successful campaigns. As Chris West reminded us, we were honoring entrants who accomplished something special by virtue of their creativity and innovation with language, crafting something that could never be achieved simply by imaging or design. It's a great testament to LIA that Verbal Identity is now recognized as a distinct category worthy of special attention, and I wish success to future jurors as the category continues to grow and evolve.
While I came to the LIA experience as something of an outsider (I'm a language columnist rather than a verbal identity professional), I was quickly made to feel right at home by our Jury President Chris West and the rest of the jurors. I discovered that my fellow jurors shared my deep and abiding passion for understanding how people can be affected by the skillful use of language, from an individual word or brand name all the way up to extended advertising copy. It was wonderful to get deep into the weeds with them, geeking out over the subtle linguistic nuances that lend flavor and coloring to successful campaigns. As Chris West reminded us, we were honoring entrants who accomplished something special by virtue of their creativity and innovation with language, crafting something that could never be achieved simply by imaging or design. It's a great testament to LIA that Verbal Identity is now recognized as a distinct category worthy of special attention, and I wish success to future jurors as the category continues to grow and evolve.