ABSTRACT
In language as in economics have justice of a different kind: Mostly our thought and regulations about economic justice have to do with what is called 'commutative justice', making sure that different classes of people have an equal right to make contracts, to borrow and lend. Language is no one's personal domain, and there should be no diffidence toward invading it, no embarrassment at pointing out an abuse of the passive or an underlying structure of presuppositions or a semantic net that has been spread to catch some poor fish. It should be as natural to comment on the linguistic probity of public figures as to comment on their financial probity, in both cases they are manipulating symbolic systems that are the property of everyone. Four ways of achieving foursquare messages and hoping ever to achieve them fully is doubtless a millennial hope. But one goal is within reach, for it has been attained in limited ways.
