I’ll never accept “a few bad apples” as an excuse for horrible shit from bad people in an organization, not just because it’s a gross misreading of the original meaning, but also that bad apples actually do chemically spoil the rest of the bunch as they rot.
Comment on Linguistic Perscriptivists
SkyNTP@lemmy.ml 4 weeks ago
I think there is a very fine line between prescribing language because of a world view that insists on conformity, and correcting Grammer and vocabulary because it’s being clear and understood is kinda the point of language.
UlyssesT@hexbear.net 4 weeks ago
SkyeStarfall@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 weeks ago
I don’t think it’s that hard, the line is mainly “is this hard to understand?” If yes then correcting or discussing it is not prescriptivism, if no, then you’re just being pedantic
Just take texting or internet comments for example, how many are missing punctuation? How many are using slang terms or shortenings of works? How many are straight up omitting/skipping words? How many are making liber use of language to either express themselves or have some emotional impact? Or just don’t put in the effort to do grammar
After all, I miss punctuation in this very comment as well, especially at the end of paragraphs, in addition to skipping words or making liberal use of language like “do grammar”. Is that grammatically correct? Absolutely not, but you understand what I mean
Assuming informal communication, of course. Formal communication is more about being proper, and ties into cultural norms of formality etc
SkyNTP@lemmy.ml 4 weeks ago
“Hard to understand?” Is a question more complex than it might appear on the surface. There are obvious examples of ambiguity in speech which lead to complete misunderstanding.
But “hard to understand?” may also satisfy the criteria of “effort to understand”. Just because a message was understood does not mean the audience was able to hear it effortlessly. And that boils down to consideration.
It’s a two way street. Correcting mistakes because of apparent lack of effort is probably not warranted, but a speaker is not entitled to a happy audience either
As with many online feuds, I think a lot of these problems typically arise because of a lack of operating under the assumption others are acting in good faith.
SkyeStarfall@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 weeks ago
If course, ultimately language is about (efficient) communication. And as long as that is satisfied, grammar is secondary. Like if there is ambiguity, asking for clarification is very much not pedantic
There is of course some nuance and leeway, but I still think it’s fairly obvious where the line goes
But ultimately, yes, language is nuanced and constantly evolving, it’s very neat though
stephen01king@lemmy.zip 4 weeks ago
See, I could understand you just find despite you writing “If course”, but if you try to say to me that is not a mistake simply because I could understand you, I cannot at all agree with your logic of what makes it the language “correct”.
thurmite@lemm.ee 4 weeks ago
I know this is, like, counter to your argument, which I fully agree with, but… I am fully triggered by the lack of periods at the end of your paragraphs.
SkyeStarfall@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 weeks ago
However, when you put periods at the end of stuff like text messages, it sounds almost passive aggressive, doesn’t it?
It’s the difference between
“Okay”
And
“Okay.”
thurmite@lemm.ee 4 weeks ago
Oh definitely. Context is everything.
Imagine getting hit with “K.”
srestegosaurio@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 weeks ago
I always punctuate everything and most people think I’m just angry. It’s not that I’m a prescriptivist, I just take it as a game.
SkyezOpen@lemmy.world 4 weeks ago
I agree completely and have nothing to add, but I felt compelled to put my username under both of yours.
SkyeStarfall@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 weeks ago
Skyes unite