The government is interfering with language again. Apparently there is a war going on with not allowing mere "decorators" to call themselves "interior designers. For example, in New Mexico it is a crime, punishable by a $1,000 fine and up to a year in prison, for "decorators" to list themselves on the Internet or in the Yellow pages as an "interior designer." The funniest part, though, is that in Nevada it is illegal for anyone who isn't licensed as an interior designer to move a piece of furniture more than 69 inches tall (such as an armoire). And to think I've always thought an interior decorator and a decorator were the same thing! I understand protecting titles with the health professions (such as MD or RN) because the government has the duty to protect the health and welfare of the public. But with decorators?

I do know that people can be a little touchy about their titles. I remember writing a grant once with a dietitian. I had originally written "dietician" on my report, and she said that the more "respected" spelling is "dietitian." Of course I changed it, but I was confused. What's the difference?

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I had originally written "dietician" on my report, and she said that the more "respected" spelling is "dietitian." Of course I changed it, but I was confused. What's the difference?

I have checked this with Wordweb and you'll be pleased to learn that a "dietician" is "...A specialist in the study of nutrition...", whereas a "dietician" is "...A specialist in the study of nutrition...".

In other words the only difference is that your communicant preferred one to the other.

The Wikipedia article simply says "dietitian (sometimes spelled dietician)". In other words, it's just an alternative spelling. The American Dietetic Association seems to prefer the spelling with two t's.

The question would be whether there is some sort of certification or licensure for calling yourself an "interior designer." Anybody can go into business as a "caterer," but not anybody can go into business as a "physician."

Found on the web, from New Mexico Business Journal, March, 1992:

To separate interior designers from architects, and interior designers from decorators, New Mexico has licensed nearly 200 interior designers since 1988.

Applicants must either be licensed in one of the five other jurisdictions which officially sanction designers -- Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana and Washington, D.C. -- or pass the National Council for Interior Design's qualification test. Six years of education and/or experience must precede the test.

Yes, Wally, I understand that. However, regulations should protect the public; that's the point of them. As the author of this article said, by keeping people out of this profession, they are actually increasing the costs. I'd rather see the people advertise their education and experience and let the customers decide from that. If one prospective designer graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design, and had spent 10 years designing rooms for many satisfied customers, he or she would be in demand. On the other hand, if someone had no further education, had 1 year's experience with customers that he or she couldn't provide references to, well, that's another story.

On the other hand, sometimes a little regulation can keep professions in line. I surely don't know much about interior designers. Perhaps there's something there that I don't know (like, falling armoires hurting people!).

I wonder why the American Dietetic Association likes the "ts" so much. Strange.

You are reading it wrong.

It's not dietitian...

it is Die Titian!

Probably due to his glorification of overweight women



By the way, did anyone else catch this amusing little redundancy?

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I have checked this with Wordweb and you'll be pleased to learn that a "dietician" is "...A specialist in the study of nutrition...", whereas a "dietician" is "...A specialist in the study of nutrition...".

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Myth Jellies,

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Probably due to his glorification of overweight women

Thank goodness for that!

I find professional licensure and name-calling an interesting thing. I am a Librarian by degree (I have a Master's degree in Library Science) and by profession, but many people in the general populace would call anyone working at a library a Librarian. There is heated debate in my library system about whether or not people should be called Professionals or Librarians if they do not have their MLS or MLIS (Master's of Library and Information Science) degrees. There are no regulations and there is no licensure system. There is also great ruffling of feathers when someone is promoted to a certain level without having obtained such a degree. I am sure I've caused the latest, hiring a non-degreed person to be my new assistant manager (especially since several degreed people applied and interviewed).

I have long felt that it is a person's experience, action, overall knowledge and drive that make them suitable for the positions . . . and the piece of paper is just a hoop they've needed to jump through to satisfy some of the old-school-ers.

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Probably due to his glorification of overweight women

The one in the picture looks fine to me ;-)

Well Richard, she's certainly not undernourished, unlike some of the anorexic examples who's been foisted upon us as an ideal. I personally prefer women (appearance-wise, being thoroughly married) who don't look as though they'd crumble to pieces at a simple handshake.

Hmmm.....

When speaking of qualifications,
Just the right "paper" will unleash funds,
It's clear that your schooling,
Prevents one from fooling,
All others with edu-ma-cations.

In other words - If I had to go through hell to get where I am, it's quite clear to me that no one who hasn't followed that route could EVER be considered qualified - regardless of what that person might or might not have actually accomplished.

Hah!!!

Bob

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(appearance-wise, being thoroughly married)

Hey! A man can dream, can't he?

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I am sure I've caused the latest, hiring a non-degreed person to be my new assistant manager (especially since several degreed people applied and interviewed).

Interesting, CW. What were the reasons? I realize that the degree doesn't necessarily mean that one person is better than another, but it does mean that the person was committed to going through that hoop, and that in itself tells me something. More importantly, if the degree is worth its salt (some aren't), it should qualify the person for the position over those who don't have it.

But then I've jumped through all the hoops, so I suppose I'm prejudiced.