If you’ve ever argued with me, you’ll know that I may point out grammatical errors and word usage problems. This mainly occurs against conservatives who misuse the word Socialist. They think I’m being some hot-headed liberal. This is not the case.
Though sometimes even I make typos (which I still believe should be banned), I believe in having people carefully monitor their word usage when typing on the internet. Text is forever. This is not because of my political or social opinions.
I am the daughter of two people who would make sure I used proper grammar. They drilled it into me how to say things properly. They would challenge me if they thought I said the wrong thing. Sometimes, they taught me. Sometimes, I taught them. It strengthened my skills with the language.
When I was in elementary school, my mom would watch my friend Kristin after school. Kristin sometimes would misuse words. I would correct her. I would correct her until she threatened to kill me. She never killed me, and I never stopped correcting her. My friends from school all knew that I was a stickler for proper language usage. They also understood I came by this honestly.
I cut some people slack. If you’re not a native speaker, I’m not going to be a grammar nazi on you. If you’ve got a learning disability, I won’t give you an issue. However, if you are purporting yourself to be super smart or an expert on an issue, then by golly, you better sound like you work for a thinktank that only hires people who are members of MENSA.
I know I come off as a ditz to some. I do say stupid stuff. I also know that my word usage may sound childish, but it isn’t that I don’t know “big” words. I was taught, by very wise English teachers, that it doesn’t do anyone any good if you use vocabulary and language styles that no one understands. You can know the biggest words in the dictionary, but if no one understands you, then you’re not an effective communicator. Except when I’m in the depths of a Schizo-attack or I’m Manic, you’ll likely understand me. When I’m in those states, I’m not myself. (Of course, according to the lackeys of that great Dale Jackson and the radio talk show host himself, people with Schizo-spectrum disorders can be called “pieces of garbage” or worse, but I digress.)
A funny little sidenote is that those who typically misuse the language in arguments with me tend to be the very same people who are proponents of making English the official language of the country. These are people who believe if you live in the US, then you should be able to speak English. Clearly if they can’t, then it isn’t as easy as they believe it to be.
Oh, two things on Facebook: 1 Million Strong Against our SOCIALIST Fire Departments (it’s not a group for those who lack a sense of humor) and, of course, the cause that I think all should join – Support Autoimmune Research (if you know anyone who has autoimmune disorders, like me, then this should matter to you; besides, fighting autoimmune disorders means you don’t like idea of people suffering from chronic illnesses)
