Hi, my first post!
I plan to create blogs about grammar, punctuation, word use, and a variety of aspects of plain English and writing. Although
I am not a writer, I greatly enjoy shaping other folks' documents and maintaining a sharp watch for any errors that I notice—in documents, on signs, in PowerPoint presentations, and in books I read for pleasure. Here's what I mean: Just yesterday, I received an email acknowledging, “Your right!” It would have been fun to reply, “Oh, not my left?” but apart from feeling clever, what would be the point?
I am not a writer, I greatly enjoy shaping other folks' documents and maintaining a sharp watch for any errors that I notice—in documents, on signs, in PowerPoint presentations, and in books I read for pleasure. Here's what I mean: Just yesterday, I received an email acknowledging, “Your right!” It would have been fun to reply, “Oh, not my left?” but apart from feeling clever, what would be the point?
Wouldn't I just love to collar someone and correct such use of language! However, I don't want to lose friends and annoy people. Happily, I have found that when folks pay me, they welcome feedback. And from the safety and distance of a blog, I believe I can offer insights and even correct public errors!
For my dissertation, my interest in errors and perceived errors led me to survey 400 individuals in five professional groups on their responses to 100 sentences—whether they saw anything in each sentence that bothered them, from “Bothers me a lot” to “Does not bother me at all.” That was 1984, and the responses ran the gamut. In 2010, I find that essentially all the issues of grammar, usage, and punctuation that bothered folks then still do. Here is my conclusion: “Not all errors are created equal,” an insight that will inform my comments about the issues I address in my blogs.
Congratulations, Neita; you got it going! (Now I am afraid to write you since I might make a mistake. ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a student at William Jewell one of my grammar teachers gave us an assignment which was to listen for spoken mistakes. It was not at all difficult to make a long list. JTS
Hello, Neita! Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging. I, too, am afraid to write incorrectly to you now! (I probably wrote that wrong.) But, I will soldier on and attempt to write clear sentences. I also have noticed a lack of regard for grammar rules over the last few years, especially on the Internet. I may not have as keen an eye as you do, but glaring typos and poorly constructed sentences bother me a lot! I obsess over my own writings and often find mistakes later that drive me crazy! I look forward to following your blog! Best Wishes- Corrie
ReplyDeleteNeita - Thanks for notifying me of this endeavor. Susan and I will enjoy your postings. And apologies in advance for any grammar, spelling, or other linguistic issues that will definitely appear in my comments.
ReplyDeleteWhen is Don going to unleash a blog about his favorite physics experiments? :-)
Craig Cyr