Bridge the Gap

By Dave Wilson

about 1995

Dave Wilson

Prefixes, Suffixes, Root Call

There is an idea about which I have been preaching for what seems forever, concerning parentheses in square dancing. I would like to layout my idea and get your feedback.

We have prefixes in square dancing that we call concepts. The As Couples Concept and the All 4 Couples Concept are two of the prefixes about which we first learn. Later, at C1, we get a few more with Tandem and Concentric. Also, early on in our education, we get introduced to (what I like to call) suffixes. At Plus level, roll is the call that introduces us to suffixes. These are calls that cannot exist by themselves and must be attached to another call. The root call gives us some type of flowing body action with which we must apply the suffix. At the higher levels, with the flow and by golly are considered to be suffixes.

So far, everyone seems to be in agreement. Now, what do we do with these prefixes, root calls, and suffixes?

Let’s take the following call combinations:

As Couples (Right and Left Thru and Roll)
As Couples (Right and Left Thru) and Roll

In the first case, the caller would want the Roll to be executed As Couples. In the second case, the caller would want the Roll to be done individually.

(I understand the Callerlab definition of Roll explicitly states that Roll is to be done individually. I believe when we work As Couples, it means the two of us have become one. Therefore, we individually roll — as a couple! I am aware that not everyone agrees with this.)

Back to the point — (No, that wasn’t the point!) The point is that we cannot see parentheses when someone speaks. Therefore, we must have some consistent way of dealing with parentheses in square dancing. Some people have suggested that it depends on the way a caller meters the sentence.
"As Couples, Right and Left Thru (pause…pause…pause) and Roll" would have a different meaning than "As Couples, Right and Left Thru and Roll" with no pause. As a caller, I have always maintained that it should make no difference whether a caller chokes or sneezes in the middle of a sentence; the call should be executed the same way. Not everyone agrees.

So, how do we deal with this? If (not WHEN — see past articles) you have a prefix attached to a root call and a suffix attached to the same root call, the suffix must also be attached to the prefix.

Examples:

Random Tandem, Right and Left Thru and Roll: Tandem Right Pull By, normal Courtesy Turn, and Tandem Roll.
As Couples, Recycle With the Flow: As Couples Recycle and As Couples leaders of the flow Walk and As Couples trailers of the flow Dodge.
As Couples, Wheel and Deal, As Couples, Roll: As Couples Wheel and Deal and AS COUPLES AS COUPLES ROLL (That’s 4 x 4!). That would probably be written: As Couples (Wheel and Deal (As Couples (Roll))).

How would we deal with the caller wanting to not apply the suffix to the prefix?

Examples:

As Couples, Wheel and Deal each side With the Flow
As Couples Wheel and Deal and when you’re finished With the Flow
Concentric Shakedown and when you’re through Roll

I’ve always had a problem with Left (Catch (Swing Thru) 3). Perhaps this issue should be handled the same way. If Left denotes Mirror Image, then I would dance this as Left Square Thru on 3, Left Swing Thru, Step and Fold. What happens when something is interrupted? Do we interrupt the prefix (concept) too?

Example: Random Tandem, Spin the Pulley, interrupt before the Peel Off with a Trail Off. I would hope it would be danced: centers Tandem cast ¾, normal Triple Cross, Tandem Trail Off, and then normal Peel Off. "Hope" is the operative word! I know people would disagree.

That’s why we could use this idea as a blanket concept. All other ideas seem to lend themselves to people saying, “I guess that’s what S/HE means.” This idea is definitive. If accepted, there would be no doubt as to what the caller wants. And wouldn’t that be nice!