Comments on: 4 Reasons Why We Need to Teach Our Children Proper Grammar

By: Laura

Laura — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:49:56 +0000

If you doubt that correct grammar and spelling is unimportant, just take a look at the hundreds of websites devoted to uncovering the errors found in newspapers, magazines, signage, and the Web. Facebook has scores of groups devoted to language (and mocking errors) with thousands and thousands of members. Regardless of your opinion of grammatical gaffes, people *do* judge others by their language and vocabulary.

By: Chris HELP!

Chris HELP! — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:04:34 +0000

@ jinond- I completely disagree.

By: jinond

jinond — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:01:36 +0000

Language is fluid. As long as what is being said or written is easily understood, then it does not matter what form the language takes. Holding on to more or less arbitrary rules that do not effect understanding is just as ridiculous as any slang.

By: Mike B

Mike B — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:36:23 +0000

When I saw this thread, I drooled. Finally, someone who understands that the current generation is just becoming lazy.

I’m one of the many few still in my teenage years who uses proper grammar in my writing, whether it’s on Instant Messenger or filling out a Job Application.

As a teenager myself, I’ve noticed the unnecessary need for creating “slang” terms like “LOL”, “ROFLCOPTER”, “LOLZORS”, “LAWL”, “K” and “FML”.

I see online usernames with numbers in and I wonder why players can’t just put two words together and leave out the 59, or the pointlessly long usernames like “X.X.X.X (username) X.X.X.X.X”

The grammar palette of this generation is apalling.

By: DOT

DOT — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:31:15 +0000

We should differentiate between grammar, syntax and rhetoric. The first is to do with the overall structure of sentences in terms of inflection, emphasis, and composition; syntax with the bones that give language shape; and rhetoric with the ability to manipulate language to best effect. Obhama is a consummate rhetorician.

By: Chris HELP!

Chris HELP! — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 04:17:17 +0000

@ foldered- Maybe you’re right, but as a parent, I want my child to sound educated. Surely you can see the numerous benefits in that.

By: Chris HELP!

Chris HELP! — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 04:14:15 +0000

@ David- In your last sentence you should have said “for god’s sake” rather than “for godsake.” You might even consider capitalizing “God.” Let me know if I can help you out with any other grammatical errors.

By: foldered

foldered — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:46:18 +0000

i agree with david. and honestly, putting the first reason for correct grammar is that people are judged by their grammar is a little anti-progressive. i guess i should hang up all of my clothes that don’t conform as well, seeing as how people are judged by what they wear.

By: David

David — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 23:43:34 +0000

You people disgust me. Take a Linguistics class, read a Linguistics book, do SOMETHING to get this horrible idea that people are “murdering the English language” out of your heads. As a post-doc and researcher of linguistics, the amount of time that I have to spend fighting and fighting with students, research subjects, and random people such as yourselves about how fundamentally flawed the concept of prescriptive grammar is is insane. Go back to speaking Latin, or, for godsake, just shut up and stop polluting the intellectual sphere with your drivel.

By: Eric Help

Eric Help — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:16:09 +0000

A couple of things:

1) Obama’s February approval rating was 83%. Bush’s final approval rating was 22%. People wore Bush shirts that said “Not my president;” others wear shirts depicting Obama as Superman. I think it’s safe to say Bush was viewed as a Lucifer-type figure in the eyes of the general public and Obama was viewed as the savior.

2. Who cares about all of this anyway? It’s a blog, not a textbook for school. Grow up.

As for the comment card, I’m sure we’ll take it just as seriously as those restaurants do (i.e. we’ll throw it in the trash).