systematic normalcy
A sign in Charles de Gaulle airport- “les armes seront detruit systematiquement” translated simply as ”weapons will be destroyed systematically.” Subtle but important difference between whether or not you are making a choice about destruction (the apparent French meaning) or discussing how something will be destroyed (english). I am not sure if the English meaning of “destroyed systematically” and “systematically destroyed” is the precisely the same, if there is a nuance there then the adverb, verb construction feels closer to the French meaning, but still not quite the same as something like “automatic.”
“Normally” has a similar distinction in the two languages, between “as expected in this specific case” (French- normallement) and “the usual course of events” (English).
While clearly more subtle that the different meanings of “table” in British and American business English, these are a challenge as they are nearly the same, but not quite, and misunderstandings will be consequently harder to diagnose.
OED recognizes two general uses of "systematically":
`1.a. In a systematic manner; according to a system or organized plan; regularly and methodically.
1661 BOYLE Physiol. Ess. (1669) 7 Far from having such a stock of Experiments and Observations, as I judge requisite to write Systematically. …
b. With unfavourable implication: With a regularity indicating (evil) design or habit: cf. SYSTEMATIC a. 3b.
1829 F. GLASSE Belgic Past. ii. 39 He systematically gains his ends By sacrifice of principles and friends. …`
If there is a difference between "destroyed systematically" and "systematically destroyed", then the former perhaps implies 1a (even-handed regularity), and the latter the 1b sense (with malice aforethought).
Comment by HGF — February 21, 2006 @ 8:25 am