[Callers] Re: Agency and Language

Joe et al, I agree that equal agency isn't always possible or even the goal. I just want each dancer to know they are playing an active role. Compare, for example, older dance instructions directed only to the "actives," or to the "gents." The "inactives" can be caught flat-footed if they are thinking the call isn't directed to them. E.g., 'swing the one below' instead of 'swing your neighbor.' Or in old square dance patter, 'swing your lady' instead of 'swing your partner.' More than one MWSD dancer has insisted that the gent always swings the lady, while contra dancers generally think they swing each other. There is historic value in that type of patter, of course, but also value in making language choices that invite every dancer to step confidently into their part of any interaction. And of course when dancers are new there is necessarily some leading, as well as the lead/follow framework (I think "offer/response") of things like flourishes. I'm just looking for examples of language that has caught your ears as being either very good or very much to be avoided. Looking for illustrations of language that encourages or discourages agency. — Jerome Jerome Grisanti 660-528-0858 http://www.jeromegrisanti.com "Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it." --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe > >