C

Abstract

Ability. A great many of the world’s people may have the capability to play the piano well or to speak Serbo-Croat fluently, but, for one reason or another, few have the ability to do so. The distinction between the two does not always appear to be well understood, so that serious misunderstandings are possible. How, for example, is one to interpret, ‘Linguistic capability preferable’ ( The Daily Telegraph, 18 Feb 1982)? Is the candidate for the post expected to be already in possession of a good knowledge of Arabic, or whatever, or is it merely necessary that he should have the kind of mind which would allow him to learn the language quickly? The first implies capability, the second ability, and one can well imagine that, whichever was intended, a number of applicants would be wasting their time.