events listings

[Adrian]

Here's my new WMOA homepage: http://www.wmoa.org.uk/

I want to keep it as uncluttered as possible, but I will add some pics later. If there's anything else you think I should change, suggestions are welcome! A

[Adrian]

October list up soon. Meanwhile, I'm trialing a new approach to marketing CATI's. See http://reentrant.wordpress.com/2008/09/28/seekend-08/ Please let me know what you think. A

[Gnitworp]

I notice you don't call it 'orienteering'.

There was a thead about this a while back and 'Map Racing' was suggested; better 'Noughties' appeal? less easily immediately misunderstood? As I observed in the thread, 'Orienteering' is a Anglised version of the Swedish 'Orientering'

[Adrian]

Although I think the name of the sport should stay as Orienteering, I was impressed when I first saw the terms "map running" and "map racing" being used. Much easier to understand, and much less intimidating. A

[geomorph]

Although I think the name of the sport should stay as Orienteering, I was impressed when I first saw the terms "map running" and "map racing" being used. Much easier to understand, and much less intimidating. A

yeah a bit like 'equestrianism'.... all that foreign language stuff; why can't we use lcd english for a change. What is most confusing is all these '..athlons' they are now even the same sets of events. What I really need is my talking photocopier to help me tie my shoe lace.

[awk]

yeah a bit like 'equestrianism'.... all that foreign language stuff; why can't we use lcd english for a change.

Because you'd cut out 80+% of the English language. (Map = in part borrowed from the Middle French, and from Medieval Latin, traceable to Carthaginian or Phoenician, at least according to Chambers Dictionary of Etymology). And I suspect that part of the reason for adopting orienteering was the similarity to orientation, the history of which goes back further in the English language than, for instance, many other sports' names, but not 'equestrian' which is first used in English in the mid-17th century.

[Gnitworp]

The issue here is public perception

I've been asked more than once what Orienteering has to do with The Orient.

Orient: Origin ME via OFr from L. orient- 'rising or east', oriri 'to rise'
Concise Oxford Dictionary

BTW I'm also not proposing we change the name, I'm just pointing out its demerits and the possible advantages of perhaps sometimes calling it something else as in Adrian's advert.

[Scott]

Map = in part borrowed from the Middle French, and from Medieval Latin, traceable to Carthaginian or Phoenician, at least according to Chambers Dictionary of Etymology

I'd have thought it came from the Classical Latin "mappa"(="napkin"), and is probably a mystery before that - "Carthaginian or Phoenician" sounds a lot like "it's probably not IE but we don't want to admit that we don't have a clue where it does come from".

Think this is the most boring Nopesport post ever? Welcome to my world.

[geomorph]

yeah a bit like 'equestrianism'.... all that foreign language stuff; why can't we use lcd english for a change.

Because you'd cut out 80+% of the English language. (Map = in part borrowed from the Middle French, and from Medieval Latin, traceable to Carthaginian or Phoenician, at least according to Chambers Dictionary of Etymology). And I suspect that part of the reason for adopting orienteering was the similarity to orientation, the history of which goes back further in the English language than, for instance, many other sports' names, but not 'equestrian' which is first used in English in the mid-17th century.

What, use archaic/obscure terms when a basic term/phrase can be used instead. Next you'll be asking for people to have to learn how to use them, and then what would happen to all the legals hiding behind their language barriers
And what's more who ever has seen racing maps - I know some people complain after an event that the map was 'pure fantasy' but get a map to race another map well...

Got to go, the lift is telling me its closing its doors.....

[Gnitworp]

In spite of all the frivolity and clever Dick responses (including mine ), I wish Adrian the best of luck in maximising the number of aspiring 'map racers' that turn out for the events through the clever wording in his flyer.

[Adrian]

October Midlands events list now posted. http://reentrant.wordpress.com/ Plus an Octavian poser.

On the subject of flyers, BOF have offered to produce some flyers for the Seekend events. (So now I have four different flyers for my Wolverhampton event!) These are the new style that are mentioned in FOCUS. Very nice they are too, and the word ORIENTEERING is very prominent.

The more I think about it, the less I like the O word. I'm sure I'll get over it, although I want to call the Malvern Initiative's northern cousin "Black Country Map Racers". Or should that be "Runners"? The former implies you have to be competitive, while the latter implies you can't walk...

[Mrs H]

Not Black country runners Adrian - it immediately throws up a picture of a lot of flat=capped blokes on a road run - not what you want to say. Black Country Map Racers is better and arouses curiosity rather than pre-conceptions.

[IanD]

Forty years ago, my own club was formed as the 'Mole Valley Map & Compass Foot Racing Society'. Our founder felt this a better description of what we do because few people would have heard of 'orienteering'.

About ten years ago, we changed to 'Mole Valley Orienteering Club' because the perception was that most people had some idea about 'orienteering', and 'map & compass foot racing society' was causing confusion.

You pays your money and you takes your choice.....

[ifititches]

I think "Black Country runners" might get people confused with Tipton Harriers, Wolverhampton and Bilston (and even Haleowen AC) to whom the title maybe more fittingly belongs.

Some of them do (very stylishly) wear flat caps.

There again, since they also race at elite speeds over cross-country courses they could be very useful recruits to "map racing"; if you could catch any of them (caught my own personal one 30+ years ago, so admit to bias, but never converted him to O racing)

[Adrian]

not runners, map runners. A