The internet, and especially Facebook, is full of people giving their opinions. Who do we listen to? I may be just one more guy with his opinion, but I am not trying to change your mind about a political viewpoint.
This is just a commentary on the state of our education. It is poor.
What has happened to today’s language? Why is proper grammar and use of the language we speak and write looked at as irrelevant? We even have a name for people who try to correct these mistakes. The “Grammar Police.” We live in a world of “don’t tell me what to do” people and it isn’t just a certain group of people we call Millennials. I see it every day. “Don’t tell me how to parent my kid.” “Don’t tell me what I can wear to a nice restaurant.” “Don’t tell me I can’t do this.” "Don't tell me my spelling is wrong."
People quote statistics they found on the internet, when we all know 67% of statistics are made up on the spot. When someone tries to educate them on the facts, the response is “Don’t tell me what I should think!”
Every time I read a lengthy comment from someone who is well spoken, I listen. Nobody cares about an opinion based on a lack of facts, or blatant ignorance. You can’t tell me the world is flat because you think it is. We know science has proven the planet to be round. You don't believe science or NASA? We can see the moon. If the moon is round, chances are the pictures we have seen of the round Earth are accurate.
I won’t apologize for judging people by their use of proper spelling and grammar. The English language is very complicated. To master the language requires a certain amount of education and intelligence. Please don’t tell me about people for whom English is not their primary language. Yes I understand that. This is not my focus here. It is with people who only know one language, English, and can’t figure out the difference between their use of there or when they’re wrong. Some words have two too many spellings to understand.
Tricky words are just one part of this. This week I saw someone use the term “self of steam.” This is right up there with the “escape goat” and people who will write “should of.” Also in the mix are people who "loose" their phone or want to lecture others on manners at the "dinning room" table.
I used to think this problem was due to a lack of reading. People who read enough will see the use of these words in proper context and would know that "should have" can be written as should’ve and even though it sounds like "should of", that is not how it works. Today, so many people use poor grammar and spelling. Our sources of reading have been diluted by internet bloggers with poor communication skills. For those of us who try to help educate, we are shamed and ridiculed as the grammar police. Why isn’t the person who can’t spell ridiculed? Well, back to the “don’t tell me what to do" attitude of today. Every time we refuse the opportunity to learn, we weaken ourselves as a people and as a society. It’s hard for me to respect the opinion of someone who is uneducated in communication skills. If you didn’t take the time to learn the words you are using, you haven’t made a good case for me to believe you took the time to learn about what you are telling me you know.
This is just a commentary on the state of our education. It is poor.
What has happened to today’s language? Why is proper grammar and use of the language we speak and write looked at as irrelevant? We even have a name for people who try to correct these mistakes. The “Grammar Police.” We live in a world of “don’t tell me what to do” people and it isn’t just a certain group of people we call Millennials. I see it every day. “Don’t tell me how to parent my kid.” “Don’t tell me what I can wear to a nice restaurant.” “Don’t tell me I can’t do this.” "Don't tell me my spelling is wrong."
People quote statistics they found on the internet, when we all know 67% of statistics are made up on the spot. When someone tries to educate them on the facts, the response is “Don’t tell me what I should think!”Every time I read a lengthy comment from someone who is well spoken, I listen. Nobody cares about an opinion based on a lack of facts, or blatant ignorance. You can’t tell me the world is flat because you think it is. We know science has proven the planet to be round. You don't believe science or NASA? We can see the moon. If the moon is round, chances are the pictures we have seen of the round Earth are accurate.
I won’t apologize for judging people by their use of proper spelling and grammar. The English language is very complicated. To master the language requires a certain amount of education and intelligence. Please don’t tell me about people for whom English is not their primary language. Yes I understand that. This is not my focus here. It is with people who only know one language, English, and can’t figure out the difference between their use of there or when they’re wrong. Some words have two too many spellings to understand.
Tricky words are just one part of this. This week I saw someone use the term “self of steam.” This is right up there with the “escape goat” and people who will write “should of.” Also in the mix are people who "loose" their phone or want to lecture others on manners at the "dinning room" table.
I used to think this problem was due to a lack of reading. People who read enough will see the use of these words in proper context and would know that "should have" can be written as should’ve and even though it sounds like "should of", that is not how it works. Today, so many people use poor grammar and spelling. Our sources of reading have been diluted by internet bloggers with poor communication skills. For those of us who try to help educate, we are shamed and ridiculed as the grammar police. Why isn’t the person who can’t spell ridiculed? Well, back to the “don’t tell me what to do" attitude of today. Every time we refuse the opportunity to learn, we weaken ourselves as a people and as a society. It’s hard for me to respect the opinion of someone who is uneducated in communication skills. If you didn’t take the time to learn the words you are using, you haven’t made a good case for me to believe you took the time to learn about what you are telling me you know.
Oh, well said, and bravo! Thank you! And BTW, I wear my "Grammar Police" and "Spelling Nazi" badges proudly. The worst crime in my book is ignorance, and I plan on wiping that out one error at a time.
ReplyDeleteSAVE THE OXFORD COMMA!
Nan