jodyrathgeb

  • Home
  • About me
  • Fiction
  • Nonfiction
  • Blog
  • Mosaic Gallery
  • Tom Rathgeb photos

Do u fnd txtspk anny'g?

5/10/2012

3 Comments

 
Picture
    I try hard not to be a grammar and punctuation nag. I know it's annoying, embarrassing and rude to correct another's use of language in informal discourse, so I swallow it. I let double negatives pass, try not to flinch when hearing or seeing "access" used as a verb and resist carrying around Wite-Out to get rid of the incorrect apostrophes in "The Palmer's" or "a tree and it's leaves." I've grudgingly accepted that stupid "Think Different" ad slogan.
    But now and then I have to let off steam. This is one of those moments.
    Punctuation matters, people! It means something. It's the difference between the peaceful panda that eats shoots and leaves and the homicidal bear that eats, shoots and leaves. It's the difference between "A woman, without her man, is nothing" and "A woman: Without her, man is nothing."
    Punctuation even saves lives. Poor Grandma is saved by a comma with "Let's eat, Grandma!"
    I know that the common defense is that everyday language is informal, and even if there is an initial misunderstanding, eventually our listeners/readers will get it right.
    Besides, the argument continues, English evolves. Change makes our language vibrant.
    Yes, yes, but does no one understand propriety? I love my little beach dresses and flip-flops, but I wouldn't wear them to a job interview or a funeral. Why are we being subjected to the equivalent of shorts and halter tops when written language requires a little more clothing?
    A niece who teaches on the college level reported to me recently that her students are turning in essays that are filled with "text-speak," including "u" instead of "you," "lol" and even "WTF."
    WTF?
    I don't believe that there are so many people who don't know that there are grammar and punctuation rules, and that they are as essential to communication as traffic laws are to safety. The casual disregard for the rules is primarily laziness, not ignorance.
    Call me old-fashioned, but I'm going to have a hard time taking seriously anything you say if you insist on saying it so sloppily.
    Rant over.

3 Comments
Paul Baker
5/10/2012 04:24:52 am

Amen, Sister!

Reply
Cheryl
5/11/2012 05:06:31 am

ur right! lol....
haha

Reply
LRae
5/11/2012 05:43:07 am

Very true. And sometimes we are rushed, drunk, or forgetful!
Then there's the fact that one can not possibly know everything. But, punctuation can cause cases of great misunderstanding.
Thank-you for reminding us.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Author

    This blog by Jody Rathgeb has changed several times over the years and currently focuses on island living. It is also posted on Facebook as Beyond the Parrot Paradise.

Proudly powered by Weebly