tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545210782126483136.post1121716575051180949..comments2024-01-24T05:13:06.164-08:00Comments on Not Your Usual Suspects: Which Banana’s What, and Other Tragedies of Modern CommunicationSusanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286314155783213006noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545210782126483136.post-7951327127488707212016-09-29T12:31:48.952-07:002016-09-29T12:31:48.952-07:00I wonder how well grammar is taught in schools, if...I wonder how well grammar is taught in schools, if at all. I heard of kids graduating from high school barely able to read and write. What did they do for 12 years? Sentence diagraming wasn't taught when I was in school; for today's visually dependent generation, that might work to "see" how language works. Also, texting has killed spelling. With the current emphasis on STEM classes, I think language skills are going to be ignored for a while.Sally Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00068827626295000653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545210782126483136.post-17928653077094952802016-09-28T10:55:06.705-07:002016-09-28T10:55:06.705-07:00You're not alone. I cringe when I see mistakes...You're not alone. I cringe when I see mistakes in traditional published books.Janice Seagraveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02576031935823587485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545210782126483136.post-28662032533610774692016-09-28T09:43:51.548-07:002016-09-28T09:43:51.548-07:00I enjoyed your article. My grammatical pet peeve (...I enjoyed your article. My grammatical pet peeve (not that I don't have plenty of peeves) is the use of George and <b>I</b> for George and <b>me</b> by writers who really should know better. It is so easy to get right if you just make the effort.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17479004892599954632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545210782126483136.post-68090197035284227152016-09-28T07:06:53.426-07:002016-09-28T07:06:53.426-07:00I tell myself that language - especially the Engli...I tell myself that language - especially the English language - is like a snowball rolling down a hill, picking up new flakes - some flakier than others - all the time. And I confess that I often have to refresh myself on the rules. Still, I find myself reaching for a pencil and correcting what I'm reading because I can't read on unless I do.Carolyn J. Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17242279772482113824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545210782126483136.post-46129182695440759272016-09-28T04:02:48.661-07:002016-09-28T04:02:48.661-07:00Right on and well-said, Janis. I see these mistake...<br />Right on and well-said, Janis. I see these mistakes in news articles from some of the best-known journalists. I hear them in movies and TV shows. I cringe when I do. I also hear them every day when I transport children to and from school. "Can I have a pencil?" "Me and her are having a play day." I've tried correcting them, but all I get is a blank stare and if they say anything, it's, "Everybody talks like that." In their world, everyone does. All we can do is grin and "bare" it. And cringe.Earl Staggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13349667172813175960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545210782126483136.post-35048473776607253042016-09-28T03:24:50.864-07:002016-09-28T03:24:50.864-07:00*rubs hands together gleefully, sharpens a regimen...*rubs hands together gleefully, sharpens a regimental rank of red pencils in preparation*<br />"Deo gratias, non solo ego" ["Thank God I am not alone"] :)<br /><br />I am a founder member of the Grammar Nazi party & Punctuation Politzei. Welcome to my Club!!<br /><br />You are sooo right to be annoyed/upset/irate/FURIOUS about such matters. As you say yourself, 99 times in every 100 the direct cause of this phenomenon is the Perp's inexcusable laziness. Rules are there for a PURPOSE. They are not "for the observance of fools and the guidance of the wise" (credited to British Army officer Harry Day).<br /><br />I've always felt 'comfortable' with Grammar & Spelling rules - I actually ENJOY Proofreading [does that make me some sort of masochist? I don't think so!]<br /><br />What really annoyed me personally was when my debut novel was published (a childrens' book) I had sent a GUARANTEED 100% error-free MS to the publisher. The 'galley print' came back to me less than a week before the intended publication day and it was RIDDLED with spelling mistakes which had been INSERTED - they were NOT the sort of mistake I would EVER make myself, and I'm not just talking about Typos.<br /> <br />♫ "Yes, we have no banana's ... ♫ I'm with you on this one!Paul McDermotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02430184962132539192noreply@blogger.com