As computerization continues formerly essential skills like writing or being a human calculator have perished. It’s hard to get a bead on whether good grammar in writing is actually going extinct, or if op-ed writers just think it is.
I use Twitter now for some of my posts, but when it first
came out, I did not use it because I could never get used to using only a few characters
to get an idea out. I am not that smart or precise in my writing. Language is
constantly evolving and therefore, so is grammar. An article published by
Reader’s Digest discusses a few significant changes.
Twitter and cell phones, allow us to be lazy and use emojis
and acronyms to get our message out. This has shortened many people’s written
communication style. In the same line, as more people communicate over screens,
extra letters may be added to certain words to add emphasis: “Mom, it’s
fiiiiine.” Adding the letters convey, to
me at least, an attempt to be sarcastic or rude.
Many people do not identify themselves as many in my
generation did. The use of more inclusive pronouns and descriptors such as the
gender-neutral they/them — is becoming more and more common. Several grammar
authorities including the Associated Press and the Chicago Manual of Style now
recognize the singular “they” as the default pronoun over “he.”
In punctuation news, the misuse of the apostrophe — such as
“its versus it’s” — has become more common than its proper use; exclamation
marks are becoming a common courtesy; and using a period can make or break the
tone of your messages.
While this may cause grammar purists to shake their heads in
dismay, these “lang-mods” seem to be here to stay. Language is evolving and
over time what we see as lazy, rude or impertinent will be seen as normal.
Formal writing will still be needed to help keep things clear, but formal
writing may be seen as the fine pint, and not read by many. I struggle with the
new grammar and hope that It goes away, but I know it won’t.
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