Is Grammar Going Down The Tubes?
Boss Hatch, a fairly new blog at b5media is dedicated to the younger business person. A couple of months ago, blogger Jim Gorden created a post called: da fate of gud grammer
It’s a nifty rant about how written language may be deteriorating among the young. My hunch is his example is a pretty good example of the way teens text each other on their cell phones and much of it is simply finding efficient ways to type on the darn things.
As I read the example, which is, after all, a business communication, I’m struck by a couple of things:
First, although I’m way older than Jim - he’s 21 and I’m retirement age - I can understand the example. That means, I think, that communication can take place with this kind of writing.
Secondly, if I hadn’t been reading Jim’s blog I probably would never have bothered to see if I understood it… I would have blown right on by. Which may mean that although communication can take place, potential older recipients may be missed.
In truth, I’m not sure what I think about this kind of shortening of our written language. I also suspect that it doesn’t matter much what I think. Living language changes as it should. It almost always changes even while so-called experts are shouting that it shouldn’t change in that particular way. And however it changes, the results are never as dire as the nay-sayers predict.
It seems to me that some of this shortening of the written language is happening organically, driven by the technology used. My hunch is some of it is also driven by a desire to do things differently.
Jim asks if this type of written language use will become the business standard. I would say, “no, not exactly. Instead we’ll see a gradual amalgamation of what is considered correct today and the typing slang of the example, and by that time we’ll be worried about some other change in language.”
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7 opinions for Is Grammar Going Down The Tubes?
Cathi
Feb 17, 2008 at 11:44 am
We can all agree that language is living and that it will change whether we like it or not.
I believe the issue here is, why does it change? I’m the first one to grouse when I see the slide toward using a preposition at the end of a sentence. And yet I’m aware that this change IS happening. It’s happening because the users of the language are changing their opinions on how it sounds and are revolting against awkward constructions meant to accommodate grammarians. Well and good.
What’s not so well and good is that many of the changes in the language happen because of a shift in attitudes about the importance of clear communication. I have a female relative who will soon graduate from college with a respected degree, one in which written and spoken communication is paramount, but she doesn’t know when to put an apostrophe in “its” and doesn’t know the difference between “your” and “you’re”. This isn’t because of a shift in real language; it’s because of a difference in attitude toward the language and life in general. She just doesn’t care. Neither did the educators who shuffled her along through elementary and high school, probably because most of them don’t have these skills themselves. Have you looked at any of the notes or emails sent home by teachers?
This relative can’t use “texting” as an excuse. She was nearly through with high school before texting was an issue and should already have had the basics of good grammar and spelling in place. I send hundreds of text messages a week and frequently save time and space by entering, “r u home yt?” However, because I love the language and because I value the discipline of clear communication, I respect the boundaries of “u r” and keep them in their place. Perhaps that’s because I’m 53. On the other hand, perhaps it’s because I don’t have a “whatever…” mentality.
In short, I don’t think we should fear changes in our language. We should fear a citizenry who doesn’t see language as worth the discipline it takes to learn and use it well.
TheMobiBlog
Feb 17, 2008 at 4:52 pm
I think people really tend to run wild with this topic.
Personally I have my own simple opinions on good or bad blog grammar.
I feel if you blog for a living or to even supplement your income, than yes you should be conscious of using good grammar.
Why? Good grammar can build better credibility and hence could trigger some ad clicks or even sympathy ad clicks. You know like an A for effort click!
On the other hand if your blog is just a diary of a topic you know about or a log of your doings in life and (Non Revenue Relevant).
Than grammar is not as important. I find on these kinds of blogs the blogger tends to have a steady group of followers.
Why? You won’t believe this! but its the lack of regard for ad revenue that triggers credibility..
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Feb 18, 2008 at 12:02 am
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Rena Prizant
Feb 18, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Grammar is a creation of language rules in order to clearly communicate with others. The shorten terminology being used today is merely a creation in order to save on time and message space (Something that has been happening long before blogging and texting). “It is” was shortened to “it’s” to save time and space, was it not? Thus to be relating the transition of grammar into a new state is not due to the technological advancements we now have.
I do not think that this new “cliff note” grammar will take place of traditional rules, but I do think it’s important to acknowledge the fact that it is in existence. Learning it and adapting to it where appropriate is just as important as knowing proper grammar and adhering to it when appropriate.
I believe that to be a well rounded communicative professional, one must know the evolution, construction, and execution of proper communication. That entails both traditional and modern uses. I think it’s a matter of adapting to your audience. Which really relates back to the psychology of a culture/ generation/ society- For example, I am 25, my generation (myself included) does not communicate in the way I have written this response. However, this blog will be read largely by individuals much older than I, so I adapt. Being a copywriter at 25, I have to acknowledge my surroundings. With every generation, what is considered acceptable communicative language changes, so I must know the strict grammatical understanding of individuals from the generation of my grandparents (and even more so my parents,) as well as the laid back shorten communication style of my 8 year old nephew. As I age, I may not need such strict verbiage as I use now to appeal to my parents/ grandparent because there will be no one in that age group to find it necessary.
In conclusion, I think that what we know of grammar is important, but it’s also very relative. To have rules of any sort, one must acknowledge that someone will question and possibly alter those rules to fit a different way of thinking. Having said that, is there really one all-encompassing rule set called “grammar” anymore?
Anne Wayman
Feb 18, 2008 at 1:36 pm
I’m loving the thoughtful responses! Keep ‘em coming.
Patricia Harrelson
Feb 24, 2008 at 11:40 pm
I love correct grammar and I love our evolving language. As Rena mentions, we shortened “it is” to “it’s.” Didn’t ’twas come from “it was”? I’m fond of the sound of ’twas and the cozy feel of a story about to start.
I suspect that text messaging contains a level of intimacy that formal grammar can’t even begin to achieve.
But the question is: Will the abbreviated texting style become the business standard? I doubt it, but I do anticipate that some elements of texting will make their way into business English. What those are remains to be seen.
My own particular pet peeve is the word “emails” which I wrote a blog post over at Grammar Police. That word gives me the shivers yet I think it is here to stay.
Anne Wayman
Feb 25, 2008 at 8:41 am
lol, yes, I think you’ve lost that one.
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