PROPER ENGLISH And how we've fallen down

[Solar Puffer]

Now that William Saffire has passed on, I was hoping the language police would chill out. Thank goodness for the diversity in language! Slang and 'imperfect' grammar are tools of linguistic innovation and evolution. Plus we can invent cool terms for our dope that the popo can't decipher at first.

 

[Tony Aroma]

the use of "proper" english has no bearing on intelligence....

True. Just as education and intelligence are not necessarily related. However, being unable to communicate well in your native language can make it difficult for others to find out just how intelligent you really are.

As an educator, the improper use of one's native language saddens me. But I blame our sub-par educational system for it. On the other hand, this is not the best place to judge a person's command of the English language. People write quickly in these forums and do not proofread. So lighten up! If you can't understand what someone is saying, just skip their post and move on.