Quote:
Originally Posted by West Ender
I am appalled every day, when reading the national papers, at the paucity of grammar. The spelling isn't usually too bad (though not good) but the grammar, the use of punctuation and the syntax, is dreadful.
There was a time when reporters had to have, at the very least, English O Level. God alone knows what qualifications are required now, probably the ability to write their own name.  |
Have you considered that this sort of thing may represent an evolutionary change in English? It seems to me that English is in a constant state of flux, more, perhaps, than any other language. English is an international language, no longer the property of the English. As such, it is more easily "infected" by global changes in technology (the upsurge in texting is a major example of this), and by the entertainment media, primarily that of the US. When you are critical of spelling, syntax, and grammar, perhaps you are merely voicing a concern that they no longer conform to "standards" which are becoming out of date. I do believe that "standards" in English are more fluid than solid.
Having said that, it still pees me off to read some of the crappy language structures used by the media. An aside: saw a sign on a store just the other day: "Choose from one of our many flavors of ice cream." I know what it means; but ...... . And in my local corner store: "You must be 18 to buy cigarettes." Or, at Ultramar Gas Stations: "Every Thursday Premium Gas at -3 cents A Litre."