Wednesday, 8 April 2015

G is for Grammar — A get well letter


Dear Grammar
I was saddened to hear that you are unwell. Indeed, the many disturbing reports of your decline have precipitated my writing, for I want you to know that you still have at least one loyal fan. Not someone who uses your name and nuances to strike fear into others. Not someone who uses you as a pointy finger of blame or a ruler for rapping the knuckles of others. Not someone who thinks they’re world-shatteringly stinkin’ smart when they believe they have detected you being mismanaged or ignored in even the most trifling and petty of ways. A grateful fan.  A steadfast supporter.
I admire how you refuse to be utterly predictable: how there’s an exception to every one of your so-called rules. I relish how you can be both simple and complex, and how working closely with you helps me to say exactly what it is I mean. And I revel in how there is always something more for me to consider, how you grow and change. How organic you are.
Please accept my grateful thanks, and my most earnest wishes that you will always have the strength to maintain your steadfast grasp on language.
Your devoted servant,
Wendy

Song of the Day: HUGE personal fave— Oxford Comma by the wonderful Vampire Weekend ( 2008) 

(Hah... you thought it was going to be London Grammar, didn't you?)


Question of the Day: What kind of relationship do you have with grammar?

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27 comments:

  1. Unknown8 April 2015 at 19:08

    I am pleased that you are giving encouragement to grammar. Now i know, I am the queen of the typo, and am far too fond of commas and exclamation marks, but I do try! I get personally affronted when an apostrophe is misused, but I don't make too much of a fuss about the mistreatment of grammar, being the serial offender that I am. However, I am learning to have more respect for it and hope that I can help you and others, restore it back to its glory!

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    1. Wendy of the Rock8 April 2015 at 21:09

      Judy, as my Aussie friends know, there are 3 versions of "English Grammar for Dummies" - US, UK and Aus. i am the author of the Aus version, ( 2 editions and an abridged version that sells at Woolworths etc). I taught grammar at tertiary level for about 15 years, and before that I was an Education Publisher at Oxford University Press Australia. Love of language in my system. I, too, make lots of typos... Lots... We all do...

      Delete
  2. Charlotte8 April 2015 at 19:29

    Grammar has an important role in my life. I have to say that English grammar differs from Swedish grammar. So I am sure I can and do make terrible mistakes when I write in English. I am sorry for that dear grammar!

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    1. Wendy of the Rock8 April 2015 at 21:11

      I have nothing but admiration for you amazing bi-lingual people. I have some bad French and crappy Indonesian skills... You are genius.

      Delete
  3. orneryswife8 April 2015 at 19:32

    I'm marginally versed in usage, get hives when your and you're are inappropriately used, and realize there are more rules unknown than known. However, I appreciate grammar and find it useful for clear communication. I also appreciate your immensely kind comments on my blog posts. Thank you! 😀

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    1. Wendy of the Rock8 April 2015 at 21:13

      Not immensely kind... your work is fantastic. I'm in love with it. You can count on me hanging around to annoy you for a long time to come.
      And you speak Art... that's a whole other skill.

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  4. soph8 April 2015 at 20:55

    I love grammar. I don't know it formally, but I feel I know it better than I probably do. I probably overstep the mark on occasion, but I'm a confident bluffer. Life will show me where I go wrong. And good friends.

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    1. Wendy of the Rock8 April 2015 at 21:14

      Grammar... meet Sophia... She's a witty intelligent human being with respect for all art forms... you are already friends...

      Delete
  5. Wendy8 April 2015 at 21:41

    I am grammar's champion. It's all I can do to keep from whipping out my virtual red pen to scribble a correction on other people's blogs and Facebook. I've been known to send indignant emails to my local television station when a reporter offends. They're in the communication business, for goodness sake.

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  6. Wendy of the Rock8 April 2015 at 21:54

    Too funny... I have a very close friend who does the indignant email too...
    There's a lot to be said for getting things right the fist time.

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  7. A Tarkabarka Hölgy9 April 2015 at 00:25

    "Strike fear into others", haha :) I have known people like that...

    @TarkabarkaHolgy from
    Multicolored Diary - Epics from A to Z
    MopDog - 26 Ways to Die in Medieval Hungary

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  8. Breathing Life9 April 2015 at 02:17

    I am a fan to and your probably wondering weather their our other's. I, like, totally am on you're side on this won.

    And don't get me started on the oxford comma......

    ;)

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  9. Unknown9 April 2015 at 03:51

    Great angle... And my humble apologies to grammar. at least the English kind... as it is not my mother tongue im sure I misuse lot of time... sorrryyy:-) :-)

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  10. Nilanjana Bose9 April 2015 at 05:45

    I'm sure I don't know my grammar as well as I should. I try to slink off without making eye contact when I see it, especially when I know I have done something wrong.

    Much enjoyed your post :) Nice to meet you through the A-Z
    Nilanjana

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    1. Wendy of the Rock9 April 2015 at 16:30

      Grammar is used to that. She'll forgive anything... almost...

      Delete
  11. CuteAsAButton9 April 2015 at 13:27

    Even though I never learned to parse sentences because we went on strike when my eighth grade teacher tried to teach us, I love grammar! Your post is terrific.

    http://shrinkrapped.com/

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  12. CuteAsAButton9 April 2015 at 13:27

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  13. Sylvia9 April 2015 at 18:40

    I LOVE that song!!! Also love grammar. I know I make mistakes as I am not a native English speaker, and we dutchies have different grammar rules (especially with commas and apostrophes).

    I hope you have a wonderful time during the rest of A to Z!
    Sylvia van Bruggen @ Playful Creative

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    1. Wendy of the Rock9 April 2015 at 23:07

      I have nothing but admiration for all multilingual people — Australians barely speak English

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  14. Anonymous10 April 2015 at 00:06

    I love this! I've been experiencing grammar trouble, but I'm a total grammar nazi! I can't stand it when I mix up my to/too/twos and they're/their/theres...

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  15. Renée Purdie18 April 2015 at 15:36

    Not surprisingly, I LOVED this post!!! And I totally love you Wendy, although I still have occasional nightmares about ... The Hungry Dog project. Picking a bone aside, you're a true grammatical genius who cares more about communication and language than being pedantic. You love writing that sings and that was your main aim while instructing us in the wily creature known as grammar. Moreover, you actually referred me for my first book editing job, which actually led to another author and a couple more books! Quite simply, you ROCK! PS All mistakes made therein are purely my errors and should not reflect on my wonderful first (and probably last) editing instructor.

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