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Subject:RE: How to deal with incorrect editing From:"whitedh" <whitedh -at- comcast -dot- net> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Mon, 29 Dec 2003 18:00:24 -0500
> COMMUNICATION is the cornerstone of your profession.
> Grammar is subservient to communication. Most managers and
> users don't care about high-n-mighty rules of grammar.
> Being a grammar nazi might give you satisfaction, but it can really
> irritate people. People who sign your paychecks, for example.
> Communication (content) are always more important than grammar.
I know I should let this go, and I shall...after this.
The author of these comments knows me not: calling me a "grammar nazi"
should be quite humorous if it didn't show something I think rather sad.
One cannot communicate in any language if one does not know and use the
basic tools of that language. After all, Webster's defines "grammar" as the
system of rules that defines the structure of a language.
One reason for the technical communication profession is that engineers,
developers, and programmers have such a difficult time expressing themselves
to the public that will hopefully purchase and use their products. If we, as
writers, don't understand and use grammar we cannot communicate. Language is
the basic component of our profession; strip it away and we are not
professionals at all.
So, go forth and call me a grammarian (which I am not) or a grammar Nazi (an
insulting title, if ever there was one) if you wish. I believe that which
I've written and do my best to employ it in the exercise of my profession.
Happy New Year!
Donald H. White
whitedh -at- comcast -dot- net
804.795.2914
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