Last Sunday the Chicago Tribune Magazine’s lead story was titled “Is Grammar Dead and Does It Really Matter?” I snatched the magazine from the rest of the paper and settled down to learn the answer.
The magazine’s cover looked ominous. With the exception of the words “Is Grammar Dead?” the background was all black, as if the editors had chosen their position and were already in mourning.
I opened the magazine and read the feature slowly, trying to determine which side of the debate the author actually came down on. But Julia Keller didn’t take a position as much as she presented pros and cons for each point of view. She quoted a linguistics professor, William Labov, who said, “We all think language is going to hell in a handbasket.” She also quoted President George Bush, who said, “This is historic times.” I leave it to any reader to decide who spoke for which side.
Keller spent several inches addressing the issue of fluidity, that language is somewhat like a river (my simile, not the Trib’s), which is always ebbing and flowing, adding and subtracting, ever changing. I agree. Otherwise there would be no need for heftier editions of the American Heritage Dictionary. She also quoted others to support the notion that today we speak and write less formally than in previous times. I’ve got no problem with that either.
But I do believe people use fluidity and formality to mask their lack of understanding of the intricacies of English. In fact, Keller cites a popular notion that our President deliberately uses incorrect English to make himself more appealing to the common person. Given that one of the criticisms of the last Democratic Presidential candidate was his high manner of speech, I see the logic of the idea. However, it appalls me. Even if one chooses to “dumb” down an idea or speak in slang or colloquialisms, it’s a good idea to know the rule before breaking it. And if you’re the leader of the country, it’s probably a better idea not to break the rule but rewrite your speech.
Which brings me to why I believe grammar is important, regardless of the times. First, knowing how one’s native tongue is put together hones analytical skills and makes for clearer thinking that extends beyond the agreement of noun and verb or noun and pronoun. Second, clearer thinking makes for clearer communication too. And ultimately that’s the crux of the matter and the real purpose of grammar.
These are, indeed, challenging times in that regard.
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