Grammar Nazis, who cares!! !

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Stephen Fry on Grammar

I love how Steven Fry talks.. it's like the euphoric bliss of jargon!

Anyways, outside of government papers, education articles, etc. who should really get "in a twist" over the improper usage of the word "whom"? or "an?" or "Fewer"? When does this matter if you're a engineer, or a crafts-person?

I think many people just go way too overboard...

Some people just enjoy being right. They care because in their minds, it makes them look good.

Grammar Nazis are just people who haven't thought carefully enough about what language is. They are obsessed with whether or not things are "correct". But if you get them to examine their assumptions, they will find that there is no authority that can tell them whether or not something is "correct". History doesn't tell you, because we all write/speak differently than we used to. Dictionaries don't tell you, because dictionaries simply record what people actually do write/speak.

There is such a thing as formal and informal language, and it's a faux pas to use the wrong one in the wrong place. But for most applications, the only "test" is whether or not people understand you.

I agree with Stephen Fry. Correcting people in their use of language is nothing more than flaunting a perceived superiority. The only times I would ever correct someone would be if I wanted to annoy them or I felt threatened by or envious of a strength they possessed which I didn't.

Saying that, I do have another problem with language. Where I live, the average education level is pretty low and people seem to take pride in verbal carelessness. This causes problems for me because I love language and refuse to edit my use of it, instead taking pleasure in using the full range of my vocabulary in even the most informal situations. I've faced accusations of being condescending, posh and, for reasons that escape me completely, gay simply because I use words with more than two syllables.

Grammar Nazis are people who have bad OCD issues with grammar. Or they are critical & b!thcy people

Last edited by nick007 on 25 Jan 2012, 8:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I don't mean to be a grammar "nazi", (I don't like that term at all; I prefer grammar freak), but I do care.
Maybe because on my job, I have to pay attention to those details ?

I don't correct other people unless it's at my job and something we work on could potentially get printed incorrectly....and I could care less if someone in this forum seems to have bad grammar....hey, I'm not perfect either.

But I correct myself sometimes outside of work.... (lots of editing on WP) I can't help it.

PS: However, your comment is posted in the Art, Writing and Music section of the forum, and I think in these arts, the artist has license to "play" with language and grammar, especially if it helps to make a point.

That's "Grammar Nazis: Who cares?"

At last some common scene about language. I have dyslexic and at times correct my use the queen's English slows down and hinders my rhythmical creative flow of ideas.

The expressive and poetic use of language must come first before the technicality mechanical precision of language.
make errors and mistake, have fun do it plus we learn more about language espcally in the area of correcting one's own language.
The study of language and literature is an art, the over use of correct precison of grammar will only make it into a form of engineering discipline

I am by no means a grammar nazi but using improper grammar throughout your entire writing or forum post is just plain annoying.
I never correct a person because I understand that spelling and grammar mistakes are very common. I have trouble with spelling and constantly use the spell check. Sometimes spellcheck is wrong. I think correcting a nearly flawless writing is a bit rude.

Some people have learning disabilities and grammar nazis can be degrading to those people.
I also understand that some grammar nazis can not control their obsessive needs.

Personally I am very annoyed when someone corrects my grammar mistakes.I do understand that Grammar is very important when communicating with people that learned English as a 2nd language.
Some grammar mistakes and spelling errors can actually be quite trendy in certain genres of creative writing.
I am not saying that it is always cool to sound illiterate because it's not.

Thanks to spellcheck powered by goggle on my Sony P.C I have spelled my words correctly.
Unless it was wrong.

Grammar Nazi's probably had a field day with Shakespeare and Dr. Suess.

I just detest being corrected on very minor issues. Especially if I am in a debate with someone, and they start criticizing my language and grammar. Or I am talking to someone and that go "it's WHOM not who!"

Little things don't get me, but if the grammar isn't at least decent, I have a hell of a frustrating time trying to figure out what people are trying to say.

That's why I can be a bit of a Grammar Nazi.

I never get that correct. I'm glad I don't work on legal documents.

I agree

As long as people don't write in one of these ways, I am ok with it:

1. I du knot understood wat u are sayin, U loose!

2. I aso do nt undrstd wht is bein sd wit dis vrsn of spch...

3. wez not understooding wat yall be sayin dawg!

I am fine as long as I can comprehend it...

Oberstleutnant Vigilans reporting for duty, Frau Reichsführer!

In all seriousness, I think grammar is important. There are regional variations of slang that are acceptable. In addition to other nuances or stylistic quips... but outright stupidity like "You says you was from... etc" I find intolerable. Languages evolve over time, certainly, but that doesn't mean one should not be allowed to express dissatisfaction with the direction it may be going. Language councils and organizations do actually exist on the national and international level that partly are dedicated to maintaining, promoting, and modifying, a language

Last edited by Vigilans on 26 Jan 2012, 2:15 am, edited 1 time in total.

Grammar is very important to me, but I realize it doesn't come easily or naturally to many people.