Confessions of a Grammar Nazi

I’m a recovering Grammar Nazi. I have been having second thoughts about getting worked up about people’s misuse of the English language. Now, I’m not saying that I don’t value clarity and precision in language, but I am re-educating myself about the importance of these things, particularly in spoken or informal communication.

I’m turning over a new leaf. I have determined not to get angry when someone on Facebook uses “your” instead of “you’re,” says “alumni” instead of “alumnus,” misspells something, or says “me and Michelle” instead of “Michelle and I.” Putting aside what some of these things might say about the writer or speaker, it’s really not worth getting an ulcer over. My new perspective: does the intended message get delivered? If everyone understands what’s being said, isn’t that the real point?

Now, in written communication – particularly formal writing – I remain a stickler. Misspelled words and bad grammar say something about the author. And bosses, potential employers and other readers will definitely make judgements based on the quality of a person’s writing. Bad writing on a résumé or in a white paper, for example, is inexcusable.

I recently watched a TED Talk by Erin McKean entitled “Go Ahead, Make Up New Words!” Ms. McKean is a lexicographer (a dictionary writer), and she was addressing a youth audience. Her message was that new words have been added to our language for centuries. Why should that stop? Stealing words from other languages (“Feng shui”), using acronyms as words (“NASA”), back formation (“edit” derived from “editor”) – all of these are valid.

New words grab people’s attention, they allow us to express ourselves more precisely. There are no limits. If I find myself bristling when someone says “architecting” (a functional shift – a noun used as a verb), I need to ask myself, “Did everyone in that business setting understand what the speaker was saying?” That needs to be my new approach.

It’s already helping my stress level!