OldGroucher
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- Joined
- Sep 28, 2021
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- 3
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I understand, truly, I do. Language is an ever-changing landscape determined by everyday usage. Many of the things that pass for “rules” are conventions, inventions or attempts to squeeze our own language into an ill-fitting Latin grammar template. Writing and speech change with context; where, when, with whom and why. Yet……I find myself increasingly having to suppress my inner pedant.
Over the past forty years politicians of both stripes have told us how their latest batch of marvellous educational reforms have improved standards. Children, tested into oblivion, leave school with bundles of A* results. However, this seems to be at odds with the understanding and appreciation of language which I see daily. Increasingly, in a variety of contexts, relatives, friends and unknown others write “could/should/would of”. Most notably this appeared in a piece written by a reporter for an online news outlet. Apart from this howler the piece was so badly written that it was almost incomprehensible in parts. Surely someone who is making a career from language and communication can reasonably be expected to do better. Similarly there seems to be little understanding of the distinction between “there”, “their” and “they’re”. All this is the stuff of basic primary education and yet teachers are forced to teach such children about “fronted adverbials”. Yes, I had to look this up too. Am I missing something here?
Television and radio presenters and reporters now commonly refer to the letter “haitch”. This, I recognise is purely pedantry and maybe it is a change that will stick; Who knows. It rankles nonetheless.
I have no objection to a variety of usages but the understanding of “register” (language in context) appears to be breaking down. This is a shame as it can convey implicit and subtle meanings that might otherwise be lost. It depends not only on a wide experience of language but also on an understanding of some basics too. Without this, the life opportunities for some will be hobbled because they are unable to communicate effectively in a register appropriate to the context.
Over the past forty years politicians of both stripes have told us how their latest batch of marvellous educational reforms have improved standards. Children, tested into oblivion, leave school with bundles of A* results. However, this seems to be at odds with the understanding and appreciation of language which I see daily. Increasingly, in a variety of contexts, relatives, friends and unknown others write “could/should/would of”. Most notably this appeared in a piece written by a reporter for an online news outlet. Apart from this howler the piece was so badly written that it was almost incomprehensible in parts. Surely someone who is making a career from language and communication can reasonably be expected to do better. Similarly there seems to be little understanding of the distinction between “there”, “their” and “they’re”. All this is the stuff of basic primary education and yet teachers are forced to teach such children about “fronted adverbials”. Yes, I had to look this up too. Am I missing something here?
Television and radio presenters and reporters now commonly refer to the letter “haitch”. This, I recognise is purely pedantry and maybe it is a change that will stick; Who knows. It rankles nonetheless.
I have no objection to a variety of usages but the understanding of “register” (language in context) appears to be breaking down. This is a shame as it can convey implicit and subtle meanings that might otherwise be lost. It depends not only on a wide experience of language but also on an understanding of some basics too. Without this, the life opportunities for some will be hobbled because they are unable to communicate effectively in a register appropriate to the context.
."socialise ,get drunk every weekend and annoy the older folk