"Gradually, we have become less obsessed with correctness and more focused on tolerance and personal expression. This shift, however admirable, has linguistic consequences. School is no longer necessarily a place to instill a sense that linguistic rules (or even linguistic consistency) matter."
I found it a little disconcerting to read that the importance of proper grammar is diminishing in our schools. Don't get me wrong, I am not a grammarian, or even close for that matter however, removing higher expectations in favor of an emphasis on informal speech/writing is an injustice to our students, particularly in preparing them for the professional world.
Example: Precision matters in mathematics and the sciences. Being able to properly communicate research findings and collaborate with peers and colleagues across a multitude of disciplines are compelling reasons for linguistic consistency.
“Whatever the benefits of digital media, it is destroying the ability of young people to construct the basic unit of the English Language...the sentence.”
I disagree with this statement because:
- Writing is less formal these days, since informal social communications dominate our interactions.
- Incorporation of pictures, video and audio creates a richer method of communication
Additional resource:
Great Article! I'm going to add it to my reading list for students!
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