Sorry, there's no such thing as "correct grammar".
Summary: Grammar is changing and so are the rules.
Interesting... As a teacher, what am I to do with a language that is ever-changing when teaching grammar? As the article mentioned, teachers can state the "facts" about the language, but those facts are just rules the teacher chooses to claim to.
I know how people feel currently, for I prefer some of the British grammar versus the way Americans do some things. Which is right and correct? Both? Neither? I have a feeling the answer is "Yes" to the questions. Of course, there are traditions of how the language was and is and should continue to be. But ARE all Oxford commas needed? Does the period go inside of a quotation mark, or does it go on the outside? There are people on both sides.
It appears that grammar and language traditions and conventionality are slowly declining with the convergence technology (i.e. Twitter, Facebook, and texting). I read another article recently about how people are easily accepting "Internet terms" and styles of language. It will be interesting to see where we're at in the near future!
Rosen, M. (2012, March 2). Sorry, there's no such thing as "correct grammar". Retrieved from: http://apps.facebook.com/theguardian/commentisfree/2012/mar/02/no-correct-grammar-martin-gwynne
Oh, I have so much to say about this. Generally, I believe that punctuation is a courtesy to the reader. Punctuation conveys SO much of the meaning behind what you attempt to communicate in writing. To me, it's not as much about rules...but, more importantly--about communicating my intonation as I would speak the words I write Poets use lines and verse, but authors of narratives depend on punctuation. Even texts depend on punctuation to truly communicate meaning...right!!!???!?!
ReplyDeleteIronically, a period didn't show up in my response to you.
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