The accent of ‘only’ has once again taken center stage. From the hands of nothing less than Arturo Pérez-Reverte, who again, raises his voice and asks that the adverb be accentuated to defend the clarity in the language.
The return of the controversy created by the RAE by eliminating the diacritical mark of the adverb ‘only’ comes from the hand of a woman who on social networks again consulted the Royal Academy if it should be branded or not when it replaces only.
#dudaRAE We know that “only” is no longer branded in any case, but … are there any exceptions? Is it more of a recommendation than a rule? Is there a valid argument to continue using it? I hate how it looks with a tilde. Only you can tell me if I’m right or wrong @RAEinforma ????????????????️
– Perla Toledo (@ToledoPerli) July 30, 2021
Faced with the response of the RAE recommending not to put it, Pérez-Reverte could not avoid pointing to the Royal Academy, of which he himself has been a part for 18 years, as he remembers. “The use of the accent in the writing of the adverb” alone “is not justified and our recommendation is never to write it with an accent,” says the RAE.
#RAEconsultas The use of the accent in the writing of the adverb “only” is not justified and our recommendation is never to write it with an accent.
– RAE (@RAEinforma) August 2, 2021
It is then when the writer returns to cause another compact in networks by assuring that “I am from the RAE (for 18 years and for now) and a professional writer, and I do recommend using the accent” only “when necessary. Which sometimes it is, for efficiency and clarity. Because one thing is theory, and another to hit the key every day »
Well, I am from the RAE (for 18 years and for now) and a professional writer, and I do recommend using the accent “only” when necessary. Which sometimes it is, for efficiency and clarity. Because theory is one thing, and another to hit the key every day. Https://t.co/WC0QphwWvL
– Arturo Pérez-Reverte (@perezreverte) August 2, 2021
His comment has caused thousands of reactions, almost all accepting his thesis. In a few hours the writer has added more than 15,000 supporters.
I am going to put the accent on it whenever I use it as an adverb. As it is only a recommendation, I will continue to put an accent on it, as they taught me in school. Just missing!
– The Master Plum (@CiruelaMaestro) August 3, 2021
The role of a language academy is not to legislate; is to record the use and reason it. At most, suggest. Nor does it define “cultured use.” And much less backsliding after legislating. I support “only” to distinguish it when it is not “alone”.
— Chandra (@chandra_segaram) August 2, 2021
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
