A Question of Draughtsmanship.
A question of draughtsmanship.
Back in the 1980s, in the UK, to call any kind of figurative artist a good draughtsman was the highest form of praise, meaning that the artist in question had good underlying drawing skills.
The literal definition of “draughtsman” is someone who makes diagrams for engineers or architects, in other words the lowest form of person who draws for a living.
Hence the use of “draughtsman” when referring to an illustrator is euphemistic, and could be construed as insulting rather than complimentary.
It’s somewhat similar to newspaper editors referring to themselves as reporters.
My question is, does the word “draughtsman” have the same euphemistic and nuanced use in the USA? (draftsman perhaps).
A second question: Is there a gender-neutral version of the word? (draftsperson?)
A third question: if the word “draftsperson” is to be be used then would fine drawing be referred to as “good draftspersonship? or would it still be “good draftsMANship?”
I’m sorry if this sounds silly, but these really are serious questions.
Back in the 1980s, in the UK, to call any kind of figurative artist a good draughtsman was the highest form of praise, meaning that the artist in question had good underlying drawing skills.
The literal definition of “draughtsman” is someone who makes diagrams for engineers or architects, in other words the lowest form of person who draws for a living.
Hence the use of “draughtsman” when referring to an illustrator is euphemistic, and could be construed as insulting rather than complimentary.
It’s somewhat similar to newspaper editors referring to themselves as reporters.
My question is, does the word “draughtsman” have the same euphemistic and nuanced use in the USA? (draftsman perhaps).
A second question: Is there a gender-neutral version of the word? (draftsperson?)
A third question: if the word “draftsperson” is to be be used then would fine drawing be referred to as “good draftspersonship? or would it still be “good draftsMANship?”
I’m sorry if this sounds silly, but these really are serious questions.
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