On 11/10/07 18:36, "Fet, Victor" <fet@MARSHALL.EDU> wrote:
All ADA-philes probably should be informed about the existence of an important human gene called ADA.
The gene “encodes adenosine deaminase, an enzyme that catalyzes the irreversible deamination of adenosine and deoxyadenosine in the purine catabolic pathway”.
This enigmatic [my emphasis -- skb] phrase means a very serious genetic disease if a gene is defective (SCID, severe combined immunodeficiency).
The phrase somehow has a vivid visual and acoustic strength, with its sculptural DEA – SINE [pronounced “ZEEN”] - ZY - YZE – DEOXY –, leading by the end to an expanded “pure Cathay”. Probably an illusion, often found in technical languages, understood only by those who practice a certain trade.
More (very technical) information is at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/dispomim.cgi?id=608958
Victor Fet
Delayed reaction! ADA, as you know, is also a high-level computer-programming language named for Ada Countess of Lovelace (Byron's daughter), presumed mistress of pioneer Charles Babbage. At least Ada (known as the 'First Programmer') brought some Ardor and Algorasm [sic] into his life.
Victor: not sure if your precise definition of the ADA gene merits the term 'enigmatic.' We have a sequence of technical words well-known/knowable to those who need or care to know! The advantage of such 'jargon' is its almost total lack of enigma and ambiguity. Unlike, say, Shade's verse where everyday words trip and drip along with taxing (but enjoyable) polysemy.
In fact, you could say that the most enigmatic word in the gene definition is the use of 'pathway!' Whenever science tries to avoid 'jargon' by borrowing from the layperson's lexis, it runs the risk of misinterpretation. (Compare the reckless LitCrit bandying of 'symmetry,' out of synch with its modern mathematical glories.) Biochemical 'pathways' are far from being the common-or-garden footpaths between geographical locations. But that route leads us into the semantic swampland of 'literal' vs 'metaphorical' language (I claim a false dichotomy there), and whether VN was a linguist, a linguistician or 'just' a master-exploiter of several Indo-European family members.
Stan Kelly-Bootle
ACM Curmudgeon columnist.