Conan the Grammarian
I’ve been known to correct people’s grammar and spelling, particularly in typing. I correct my own when necessary (and sometimes when not) and blush at my mistakes. In the event that someone takes offense at my speaking up and argues that it is irrelevant because I (eventually) understood them, I get quite flustered.
You see, good communication to me is not irrelevant. Not ever. If language was misused in a conversation, but I immediately understood the intent, then the foul is on me when I chide the mistake. With the advent of email, IM, IRC, and in-game channels, however, it is all the more imperative that proper grammar, spelling, and usage prevail. Without inflection and the further context of facial expression, miscommunication is bound to occur. Thus, special care should be taken to express oneself without ambiguity.
Yet, the internet — to use a comprehensive, if generalized, term — is riddled with inaccurate statements and arguments made all the weaker by the issuer’s poor command of the language. Examples are everywhere, yet difficult to cite. It goes beyond the simple misplacement of punctuation or the dangling participle. It has evolved into a language of its own, perhaps for the worse. Try to explain to an anonymous soul on a forum the “cry-wolf” implications of an acronym like LOL and see how long it is before the argument degenerates into nothing resembling civil discourse.
Granted, there are times in friendly internet communication that I intentionally put on the airs of an English major; but, even when I politely point out the correction and a concise reasoning for its significance I am often met with resistance to the point of hostility.
I have chosen as my cause the reclamation of accurate communication. To me, it is no less worthy a cause than any political, personal or philosophical ideal. After all, could any one of us claim that they have never had a minor issue turn into a dilemma simply due to poor communication? I could not.
I’m an english major, yet despite that I LOATHE grammar/spelling nazis. I am unsure why anybody would proudly equate themselves to such a horrible party, yet they do. Some of these are simple mistakes: in the heat of debate it’s easy to type “you’re” when you meant “your.” Sometimes one’s fingers are on autopilot (mine are a lot). In a speaking debate this would never be considered a foul, however – there are many who will jump on this as grounds that every point the poster makes thereafter is void due to that mistake.
If the only argument a person can make against another person is that they accidently typed something they shouldn’t have, they lose the fight. That’s my rule anyways.
Is grammar important? Sure it is, but taking the punishment of poor spellers too far is just as dangerous as the poor spellers themselves.
Comment by Meg — 8/17/2005 @ 6:46 pm
I agree to an extent, but I’m of the opinion that if the person’s argument is well thought out, then they likely will read it over again before impulsively hitting “post” or “reply.” I’m willing to give most people the benefit of the doubt. Often a “your” or “you’re” doesn’t lead to grave misunderstanding. But when poor grammar and spelling are to blame for a large misunderstanding, then people should take more ardent steps toward eradicating such mistakes.
In IM situations, obivously the point is moot. But in email or forums,I find it pays to just have a re-read to make sure what one meant to say is what one actually said, outside of grammar or spelling. If in the course of this one catches grammar and spelling mistakes, then all the better.
This post was in no way an attempt to cast aspersions on anyone’s writing ability, merely a frustration I’ve noted in my own life. And it is not to say that poor spelling, typoes, or even ignorance of proper usage should be punished. Instead, I mean to say that it is less likely to cause animosity if a few extra moments are taken to assure good communication.
Comment by steelbuddha — 8/18/2005 @ 12:06 am
Amen, brother. What bothers me is that:
1) lazy grammar and spelling will pull me right out of what the writer is saying, and
2) it’s becoming more acceptable to send out professional correspondence riddled with typos and misspellings simply because “it’s only on the web” or “it’s only email.”
I accept that I’m no math wiz and, because of this, I use a calculator. I don’t see why using a spelling and grammar checker is any different, if one is spelling- or grammar-challenged. But maybe I’m just picky.
Comment by BB — 8/18/2005 @ 12:55 pm
I am one of the guilty, both on making grammar mistakes in email and then chewing out steel for correcting me (I’m along the lines of Meg’s philosophy on this topic). I see his frustration, and yet I can’t completely connect with it, and so grammar and spelling between people like him and people like me will always be a source of irritation for both parties.
Can a compromise exist?
Comment by Loricious — 8/22/2005 @ 8:35 am
Yes. And one does. I don’t correct people unless I’m giving them hell or the situation warrants that the correction be made.
Sadly, this post left me even more frustrated because I feel like what I wanted to express was left behind as people simply took offense. Miscommunication — particularly when it can so easily be avoided — is my biggest pet peeve; I’ll leave it at that next time.
I’m just going to start talking in 1337-sp33k, since that is becoming the language of the future. Embrace ignorance!
Comment by steelbuddha — 8/22/2005 @ 8:56 am
Hey, you, not taking offense at all :) I know we’ve butted heads on numerous times on this issue and its obvious that I’ve never handled it well. *sigh* I don’t like miscommunication either… Words can be so cold without the warmth of human inflection and expression.
Heh, I don’t even know what 1337 means. Appropriate, no? :)
Comment by Loricious — 8/22/2005 @ 11:41 am