Quotes in the past tense

View previous topic View next topic Go down

Quotes in the past tense

Post  candyfloss on Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:46 am

I thought it might be interesting if we could list as many quotes as we can find, where people talk about Madeleine in the past tense, a clear indicator I would have thought that they either know or believe she is no longer alive. My mom died 4 months ago, and yet when I still talk about her I speak as if she's still here, I cannot comprehend she has died. So why would anyone talk about Madeleine in the past tense, if they presumed she was still alive.

I'll start with this shocking one from the ticker at the top of the page (brilliant idea Jill thumbsup )

Jon Corner: "Maddie was so beautiful, astonishingly bright, and I’d have to say very charismatic. She would shine out of a crowd. So—God forgive me—maybe that’s part of the problem. That special quality. Some bastard picked up on that.”...

_______________________________________________

PR = Parental Responsibility



candyfloss
Super duper Moderator

Posts: 6331
Join date: 2009-11-27
Age: 59

Back to top Go down

Re: Quotes in the past tense

Post  kangdang on Wed Sep 22, 2010 12:23 pm

The use of past and present tense is complex, particularly in the case of missing persons as one can never be certain whether the missing person is deceased or not. Typically, loved ones will refer to the missing in present tense in early days, as time elapses and hope fades this will alter - changes are usually noticeable around the 6-month stage, here one will often see a cross over of tenses. As the passage of time progresses further still, it becomes incredibly hard to refer to the missing in present tense, as one would only hold memories of them in past life - There will be an absence of new knowledge, shared experiences etc… of which to draw upon.

If one were to work on this premise only quotes from the early days (within 6 months of Madeleine’s disappearance) would be deemed of any value. Having said that as time has progressed the McCanns have increasingly spoken of Madeleine in present tense. Of course, this may be due to them wanting to maintain focus that the child is alive, to demonstrate that they have hope and that they (the public) should too.

It is my belief that the McCanns have been tutored on this matter.

ETA (for the 5th time, spellings!) a link to a decent introductory article for those interested in statement analysis http://www.crimeandclues.com/index.php/testimonial-evidence/47-statement-analysis/81-statement-analysis-what-do-suspects-words-really-reveal


Last edited by kangdang on Wed Sep 22, 2010 12:37 pm; edited 1 time in total

kangdang

Posts: 1680
Join date: 2010-01-29
Age: 34
Location: Corona Mountain

Back to top Go down

Re: Quotes in the past tense

Post  candyfloss on Wed Sep 22, 2010 12:36 pm

[quote kangdang]

If one were to work on this premise only quotes from the early days (within 6 months of Madeleine’s disappearance) would be deemed of any value. Having said that as time has progressed the McCanns have increasingly spoken of Madeleine in present tense


This is my point, sorry I didn't make myself clear, I was referring to eary quotes, and yes you are right they seem to be the other way around, talking about Madeleine in the past tense and then increasingly in the present as time went on.

_______________________________________________

PR = Parental Responsibility



candyfloss
Super duper Moderator

Posts: 6331
Join date: 2009-11-27
Age: 59

Back to top Go down

Re: Quotes in the past tense

Post  kangdang on Wed Sep 22, 2010 12:39 pm

candyfloss wrote:[quote kangdang]

If one were to work on this premise only quotes from the early days (within 6 months of Madeleine’s disappearance) would be deemed of any value. Having said that as time has progressed the McCanns have increasingly spoken of Madeleine in present tense


This is my point, sorry I didn't make myself clear, I was referring to eary quotes, and yes you are right they seem to be the other way around, talking about Madeleine in the past tense and then increasingly in the present as time went on.


Ah ok, thanks Candyfloss and apologies.

It might be a good idea to post dates of quotes.

kangdang

Posts: 1680
Join date: 2010-01-29
Age: 34
Location: Corona Mountain

Back to top Go down

Re: Quotes in the past tense

Post  candyfloss on Wed Sep 22, 2010 1:00 pm

kangdang wrote:
candyfloss wrote:[quote kangdang]

If one were to work on this premise only quotes from the early days (within 6 months of Madeleine’s disappearance) would be deemed of any value. Having said that as time has progressed the McCanns have increasingly spoken of Madeleine in present tense


This is my point, sorry I didn't make myself clear, I was referring to eary quotes, and yes you are right they seem to be the other way around, talking about Madeleine in the past tense and then increasingly in the present as time went on.


Ah ok, thanks Candyfloss and apologies.

It might be a good idea to post dates of quotes.


No apology necessary kangdang, sometimes I just don't say what I mean, if you know what I mean big grin

Yes, a very good idea to date the quotes..........Jill when was that quote of Jon Corners' on the ticker any idea, I will search around, but you may find it quicker than me as you have it to hand hopefully thumbsup

_______________________________________________

PR = Parental Responsibility



candyfloss
Super duper Moderator

Posts: 6331
Join date: 2009-11-27
Age: 59

Back to top Go down

Re: Quotes in the past tense

Post  Quincy on Wed Sep 22, 2010 2:47 pm

candyfloss wrote:
kangdang wrote:
candyfloss wrote:[quote kangdang]

If one were to work on this premise only quotes from the early days (within 6 months of Madeleine’s disappearance) would be deemed of any value. Having said that as time has progressed the McCanns have increasingly spoken of Madeleine in present tense


This is my point, sorry I didn't make myself clear, I was referring to eary quotes, and yes you are right they seem to be the other way around, talking about Madeleine in the past tense and then increasingly in the present as time went on.


Ah ok, thanks Candyfloss and apologies.

It might be a good idea to post dates of quotes.


No apology necessary kangdang, sometimes I just don't say what I mean, if you know what I mean big grin

Yes, a very good idea to date the quotes..........Jill when was that quote of Jon Corners' on the ticker any idea, I will search around, but you may find it quicker than me as you have it to hand hopefully thumbsup


It was from the Vanity fair articile.

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/02/mccanns200802?currentPage=5

Also you will find one of Gerry's quotes as well on the same page.

Gerry understood that. But, he says, the iris “is Madeleine’s only true distinctive feature. Certainly we thought it was possible that this could potentially hurt her or”—he grimaces—“her abductor might do something to her eye.… But in terms of marketing, it was a good ploy.” Evil or Very Mad

Quincy

Posts: 160
Join date: 2010-04-25
Location: Southern Ireland.

Back to top Go down

Re: Quotes in the past tense

Post  candyfloss on Wed Sep 22, 2010 2:59 pm

Thanks Quincy thumbsup

Jan 10th 2008 - first page of article... http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/02/mccanns200802

_______________________________________________

PR = Parental Responsibility



candyfloss
Super duper Moderator

Posts: 6331
Join date: 2009-11-27
Age: 59

Back to top Go down

Re: Quotes in the past tense

Post  aiyoyo on Wed Sep 22, 2010 3:43 pm

@ Kangdang
It is my belief that the McCanns have been tutored on this matter.


thumbsup thumbsup

That, plus reading blog /forum.


aiyoyo

Posts: 3177
Join date: 2009-11-28

Back to top Go down

View previous topic View next topic Back to top

- Similar topics

Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum