Know Your English (Nov 2001)-9

Know your English

What is the meaning of the term "vox populi"?

This is an expression borrowed from Latin meaning "voice of the people". The word "vox" rhymes with "pox", "fox", and "box". The "u" in "populi" sounds like the "u" in "university" and "unit", while the final "I" is like the "ee" in "bee", "fee", and "see". Some people pronounce the final "i" like the "ie" in "tie", "die" and "pie". The main stress is on the first syllable of "populi". The term is often abbreviated to either "vox pop" or "vox pops".

The vox pop technique is normally used in radio and television broadcasting. We often see reporters walking around on the streets asking passers by to give their opinion about something. For example, we have people responding to questions as to whether America is doing the right thing by bombing Afghanistan or whether Ganguly should continue to be the captain of the Indian team. This method of recording the opinions of people talking informally in public places is called vox populi or vox pop.

*Sai Prasad is a director who likes to make use of vox pop in his programmes.

*Can you get me some vox populi by six this evening?


Source:

The Hindu daily, Tuesday, November 13, 2001