tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313781518801847621.post592678664974059947..comments2024-01-25T06:08:39.410+10:00Comments on A Fencer's Ramblings: Reading Period Texts - A Question of LanguageHenry Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709154816465095991noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313781518801847621.post-17998542619285013652011-07-31T11:47:23.179+10:002011-07-31T11:47:23.179+10:00Hello,
Actually, in the case of a tempo, it is a ...Hello,<br /><br />Actually, in the case of a tempo, it is a relative or fluid period of time rather than a concrete, one meaning that it can be longer or shorter as required. For the purposes of fencing terminology it serves the purpose it was designed for. <br /><br />The problems that you have pointed out in the use of the word are also its advantages, especially considering the same action can take a varied amount of time depending on the fencer's physical characteristics and also skill level. It is also much shorter than having to explain "in the time of his action" or something similar all of the time.<br /><br />The use of "tempo" in the manuals is designed to give the reader an idea of when an action should be performed against an opponent rather than how long the action should take. For this particular purpose, so long as it is read in this context, it serves quite well.<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />Henry.Henry Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07709154816465095991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313781518801847621.post-1241050623278118322011-07-26T01:15:23.668+10:002011-07-26T01:15:23.668+10:00Henry, my dear and beloved friend,
The problem we...Henry, my dear and beloved friend,<br /><br />The problem we face is that a tempo isnt a tempo ; the time taken to turn the wrist is not the time needed to move a foot, or flip the hips, or do any of the other things that are needed in a swordfight.<br /><br />We have short tempos, such as a back-edge cut from the wrist, or a rolling of the hand, or flipping the front corner of a heater shield. We have long tempos, such as moving the front foot forward, or pivoting the body against a wrap.<br /><br />A tempo is the time it takes to do a single thing, and a single thing can take a blink of thought, or forever.<br /><br />The word we use has failed us, in short.Ian Whitchurchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14896497136190817451noreply@blogger.com