Why do we now say that we 'perform' things, if before we 'did' them?

PalmA couple of weeks ago, the town council of a village in the Raiguer region published a statement explaining the closure of some local businesses due to structural problems with their roofs. While the situation was newsworthy, that wasn't the most surprising aspect of the statement. What was striking was that the deficiencies had been detected during a routine inspection—not during an ongoing one—and that studies were subsequently initiated to determine the need for a complete renovation—not just a complete roof overhaul—because the structure was built with ceramic beams. These premises will be closed "until the complete replacement of the roof is carried out," that is, until it has all been replaced.

To avoid the feeling that all texts seem the same—starting from the idea that a text is any utterance, written or spoken, in its specific context—a very good resource is to take care of our lexical precision. We understand lexical precision as the ability to select the words with which we construct discourse so that they are as appropriate as possible in each area and context in which we use them. We consider that lexical precision is applied when, for a specific text, we use words that, by definition, fit the context perfectly. Also, when we do not confuse partial synonyms or false equivalences from other languages, which implies having to be very precise with meanings.

More appropriate words

As the City Council's statement demonstrates, nowadays it is common to find the verb 'realizar' (to carry out) used in many texts for situations where other, more appropriate and equally familiar words exist. We could say that this is a clear case of a 'joker' or a catch-all word, a word that can be used with numerous meanings, making it imprecise. The meaning of 'realizar', according to the DIEC (Dictionary of the Spanish Language), is "to fulfill," "to carry out something ordered, resolved, or planned." Therefore, the use of this verb should be reserved for talking about projects, purposes, programs, plans, campaigns, or tasks that can be fulfilled and, therefore, must be carried out. Thus, it is more appropriate to say "The first operation using an innovative technique has been performed at Son Espases Hospital," "The criminal gang committed seven robberies in two days," "Max has completed two semesters abroad," "The UIB research team has concluded its research," and "The teachers and the doctors."

It is common to find verbs that are overused or used with inappropriate meanings. An example is the verb 'celebrate'. On the one hand, regarding the overuse of 'celebrate', according to the definition in the DIEC (Dictionary of the Spanish Language), among other meanings, 'celebrate' is "to perform an act according to a ritual, according to certain rules." Thus, one 'celebrates' Mass, just as one can 'celebrate' a funeral or a private meeting. However, one does not 'celebrate' football matches –because they are 'played' or 'contested'– nor a session or a meeting –those that 'take place' or 'are organized'. On the other hand, one must be careful regarding the incorrect uses of words. In the case of 'celebrate', it should not be confused with the verb 'commemorate' ("to solemnly remember an event, a person"). Therefore, January 5th is a day to commemorate –not celebrate– the figure of Aurora Picornell and Les Roges del Molinar.

Abusive use

There are many more verbs that are often used to the detriment of other, more appropriate verbs or constructions. We will begin, or rather, start, the list with the verb 'to exist'. Although there is evidence pointing to its overuse, we maintain that there is sufficient evidence to confirm it. This list also includes verbs—not 'to enjoy'—like 'to enjoy', which offer many alternatives. Instead of always 'enjoying' our free time, we can also 'have fun', we can 'have a great time', and we can 'make the most of it'; during the holidays, which we 'have' and 'take', we 'enjoy' ourselves with various hobbies, which we 'savor' and with which we 'indulge' ourselves. This has made me think—and also brought to mind, but not reminded me—that there are other verbs that we shouldn't forget, or rather, that we shouldn't neglect and should consider including in the list because they are equivalent. Now, after this long paragraph, lexical precision might not matter to you, and you might be thinking, "I don't care, I don't care. It doesn't matter: this list is endless."

However, the use of filler words shouldn't always be penalized. Some, like 'hacer' (to do/make), are part of numerous well-formed constructions and expressions in Catalan. That's why in our language, without being lexically imprecise, we have 'hacemos cola' (we queue), 'el vacío' (the void), 'verdad' (truth) and 'asco' (disgust), 'fiestas' (parties), 'las paces' (peace), 'tarde' (late), 'tiempo' (time), or 'un café' (a coffee); 'las cosas nos dan vergüenza' (things give us shame), 'estorbo' (annoyance), or 'pereza' (laziness) (and 'pereza' and 'derrama' (excess)); We also make and unmake things, we examine them or we back down, we understand, notice, and see.

However, if we want our texts, both spoken and written, to be rich, varied, and appropriate to the communicative context, we must be meticulous. Making—not merely performing—the effort of not neglecting our vocabulary makes us stand out and be much more precise speakers.