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You keep using that word... "Resident"
Oct. 13th, 2015 03:01 pm"Resident" is today's word that most people don't understand the implications of. Specifically, being a resident of a place, for legal and bureaucratic purposes.
Let's get the core misunderstanding out the way first. Unlike almost every other linguistic argument you'll find me involved in, there is no single common definition for this term. There isn't even a clear plurality; with tens of competing definitions in relatively typical usage[1]. In general, there is no social or legal control over who is considered a resident by an organization, at any level, for any purpose. Every single institution, organization, club, or group, government or private, gets to make up their own definition of this word, and most of them do. It is uncommon for anyone to accept anyone else's definition here. If you think that there's one national definition of residency that everyone uses or agrees on... you're wrong. If you think that whatever your state says, goes... you're wrong. It's a complicated morass that I hope you remain blissfully ignorant of, but suspect most of you will encounter at one point or another in your life. Understanding this misconception might help you get through that encounter a little faster than if you were caught flat-footed and confused by this situation.
( Read more... )
Let's get the core misunderstanding out the way first. Unlike almost every other linguistic argument you'll find me involved in, there is no single common definition for this term. There isn't even a clear plurality; with tens of competing definitions in relatively typical usage[1]. In general, there is no social or legal control over who is considered a resident by an organization, at any level, for any purpose. Every single institution, organization, club, or group, government or private, gets to make up their own definition of this word, and most of them do. It is uncommon for anyone to accept anyone else's definition here. If you think that there's one national definition of residency that everyone uses or agrees on... you're wrong. If you think that whatever your state says, goes... you're wrong. It's a complicated morass that I hope you remain blissfully ignorant of, but suspect most of you will encounter at one point or another in your life. Understanding this misconception might help you get through that encounter a little faster than if you were caught flat-footed and confused by this situation.
( Read more... )
