Over the past couple of weeks there’s been some cracking articles on Culture Vulture. This is nothing new of course but the debates going on in the comments section have been especially lively, which is always good to see. I can only imagine the number of preview and review requests that the editors receive each week not to mention general press releases. This is great for us writers (don’t stop letting me know about stuff!), but I think the pieces that divide opinion, make us shout at the screen in agreement or horror, are what keep the place fresh. No matter what the good BOOK says we’re not all of one voice, we’ve all got different ideas about the places we live, what they need and what they represent. Just like Culture Vulture this is what keeps West Yorkshire so vibrant and exciting
There’s one thing that commonly crops up on the comments section (and social media in general) that always make me slightly annoyed however – people ignoring the actual topic being discussed to point out bad grammar. Now don’t get me wrong, I love a good comma, as much as anyone I just don’t always, put them in the best place. (Sorry Mark, couldn’t resist: Ed.) My writing process goes a little bit like this:
“Well that looks about long enough, let me just check that I put some hilarious asides in brackets … yep plenty of those. Now to proof the grammar…
Reaches hand into jar of punctuation and throws and handful at the screen
“Perfect! Some of those must be in the right place. Time to email Phil.”
I know, I know, this something I should really work on and I am kind of, albeit at a very slow pace. In general if someone says something negative about my grammar or structure I’ll happily accept (ignore) it and move on. My real problem is with the view that a ‘poor’ writing style somehow invalidates a writer’s opinion (this is writer in the widest possible sense). Say someone posts something reasonably controversial on Facebook and someone else comments that in ‘there’ opinion they disagree and explain why. I’m always seeing posts where the person is berated for using there instead of their and their actual argument is ignored.
Instead of talking about the issue we’re now discussing something completely unconnected to it. This is not the way to conduct an argument much less convince someone of your opinion. All this achieves is that the writer now feels insulted (well done!) and probably less likely to continue discussing the topic with you (good work!). In addition, this sets the rather terrifying precedent that someone who perhaps didn’t get the best education or simply doesn’t excel in this one area somehow has no right to an opinion.
This isn’t limited to grammar, insults are always bad way to go about these things. Calling EDL or BNP members knuckle-draggers is just as bad. I sincerely doubt that anyone who’s had those kind of things directed at them will think “Actually, y’know what, they’ve got a point, I am a Neanderthal for subscribing to these opinions. Time to change my point of view!” Obviously this is somewhat different given how volatile these situations can be and how offensive the points of view can be but I think the only way to change someone’s mind (if they’re willing to be changed) is through friendly, honest debate. The story of the Mosque opening its doors to EDL members and offering them cups of tea is a perfect example. No aggression, just openness and an offer of companionship. This is exactly the kind of action that will make someone realise the contradictions in their argument.
Given how grammar is all about joining words together and making them flow smoothly it’s amazing how more often than not it seems to push us apart from each other (I tried but couldn’t keep a straight face while writing that … I stand by it though).
In addition here’s some punctuation – : ; , . ‘ please feel free to distribute it above as you see fit.
Well said.
Hear hear. In my view there is nothing more beautiful than a well-crafted sentence, but anyone who thinks that the rules of language are set in stone should read ‘The Unfolding of Language’ by Guy Deutscher. Writers at all levels and in all formats should strive for clarity of argument (and avoid ambiguity by knowing where to put their commas), but substance is far more important than elegance. Besides, uninvited criticism is just plain rude.
I agree that poor grammar and spelling should not detract from the writer’s point and I would never let it influence my view of the point being made. But at the same time whenever I see, for instance, your instead of you’re, I cry a little inside and a delicate wee grammar fairy dies…