Q: A headline stated that seasonal bird migration (which occurs twice a year) was a "biannual" event. Doesn't that mean they migrate once in two years? Shouldn't it be "semiannual"? And what's with the spelling "biennial"? — Carol Radil, via email

A: This question seems to come up biannually... or should that be "biennially"? In fact, that headline was correct. "Biannual" means "twice a year." It's all very confusing, but here goes...

Generally, "semi-" means "half," and "bi-" means "two," as in "semiweekly" (twice a week) and "biweekly" (every two weeks). But for some strange reason, "semiannual" and "biannual" BOTH mean occurring twice a year, while "biennial" means occurring every two years.

To avoid ambiguity, I'd forget "biannual" and "biennial" entirely and simply say "twice a year" or "every two years."

Q: Is the use of "we" in the following phrase correct? "the attitude of we who speak English." Shouldn't it be "us"? — Cary Nearing, Windsor, Connecticut

A: Yes. The word following the preposition "of" is the object of a preposition and thus must be in the objective case. We don't say, for instance, "an attitude of I" or "an attitude of they"; we say, "an attitude of me" (or "mine") or "an attitude of them" (or "theirs").

Thus "the attitude of us who speak English" is correct.

Q: I hesitate to pronounce "forte," meaning one's strong point, as "FORT" because 99.99% of the population pronounces it "FOR-tay." What is the correct pronunciation? - Lisa Butterfield, Simsbury, Connecticut

A: Twenty years ago, I would have told you, "Hold the 'fort'! Don't surrender! The cavalry, brandishing shining sabers, are on the way."

That's because "forte" derives from the French word "fort," meaning "strong." When this word entered English during the 1600s, it referred to the strongest part of a sword or saber. By 1700, "fort" had acquired a final "e" and the figurative meaning of "a person's strong point or area of expertise."

By the early 20th century, many English speakers were pronouncing "forte" as "FOR-tay" for two un"fort"unate reasons: 1. confusion with the Italian musical direction "forte" (FOR-tay), meaning "play loudly or forcefully," and 2. the erroneous assumption that "FOR-tay" sounds more elegant and refined than "fort."

Because "FOR-tay" has now become the dominant pronunciation, I'm reluctantly raising the white flag atop the fort and conceding surrender. Still, I always wince when I hear it pronounced "FOR-tay." Just call me "an old fort."

Rob Kyff, a teacher and writer in West Hartford, Connecticut, invites your language sightings. His book, "Mark My Words," is available for $9.99 on Amazon.com. Send your reports of misuse and abuse, as well as examples of good writing, via email to [email protected] or by regular mail to Rob Kyff, Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

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