Guardian of the written word and saviour of linguistic faux pas bids a fond farewell to Caxton Johannesburg West
After 11 years of service we say goodbye to beloved subeditor.
The applause goes to the showmen but they risk embarrassing failure without a silent safety net.
Every word that appears in the pages of any publication must first pass through the stubborn filter of the subeditor. A unique breed of warden and guardian they save overzealous writers from embarrassment while helping add the occasional missing piece only seen from an extra perspective.
For just over 11 years, Lorraine Brown has been the linguistic anchor that has scrutinised and tweaked the work of the staff whose fledgling careers could only hope to match hers.
Growing up in Pretoria, Lorraine went to Laerskool Pierneef and matriculated at Hoërskool Hendrik Verwoerd in 1970. After completing a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Pretoria, Tannie Lorraine, as she is affectionately known, took an assistant terminologist position at the National Department of Education. There, she would mould the register used in the books that shaped the learners of the 1980s.
A brief hiatus was taken to give birth to and raise her daughter, Vanessa. Lorraine would return to office at Eskom’s language department. Five years later she joined Technikon SA, what would eventually become Unisa. At the educational facility Lorraine served as a language practitioner and after transitioning away from Unisa, she freelanced for UJ and a company that published school textbooks. Lorraine’s first taste of the news realm industry would be at Beeld, holding a translator position at the national daily. In 2011, Lorraine would join Caxton’s Johannesburg West office to which she will wave goodbye to today, October 7.
Subediting is an endeavour that requires a monk’s patience, a mischievous wit and the delicate touch of a sledgehammer.
“One just needs to understand and have a strong grasp of language. You need to know your reference sources and be incredibly meticulous,” said the departing 70-year-old. Handing over the reins with her customary poise and grace, she chuckled, ”Vasbyt julle”.
Sure to be missed, Lorraine said,
“I would like to thank the people who respected me when my back was turned and those who didn’t pay lip service. Most of all I will miss the people. There were many who helped me through a very tough time, and the support I received was immense.”
Not departing to a reading corner in the sun just yet, there may still be a few sentences to reconstruct or figures of speech to save from brutal abuse.
