I found this quotation from Understanding English Grammar interesting:
In 1693 the English philosopher John Locke declared that the purpose of teaching grammar was "to teach men not to speak, but to speak correctly and according to the exact Rules of the Tongue." These words of Locke define the concept that today we call prescriptive grammar.
I find the use of the word "speak" important in this quotation. I think it's odd that we insist on our written grammar being precise and yet our spoken language is not as precise. I mean that when we hang out with friends we don't generally follow the rules of grammar very closely. Yet, when writting a paper for class we make sure our grammar is correct. This brings up my question:
Why do we strive to make our written grammar precise but when speaking we are less formal and less precise with our grammar?
posted by Pumpkin @ 7:39 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
Maybe this ist because when you write soemthing and publish it (or hand it in at universtiy), the reader can´t ask you about how meant soemthing, so you have to be very precise and in no account ambivalent. Whereas in a conversation the person is usually sitting next to you and you can clear obscurities sometimes just by looking at his/her facial expression or by asking.
Most speaking is ad libbed. For this reason, a handful of errors are tolerated. When writing, you generally have all the time you need, so it is expected that you will make no mistakes. Also, writing is usually more formal than speaking, and the writer is often trying to impress someone.
I think generally, when speaking it is much easier to understand one another through body language, tone of voice, etc. But in writing, we often do not have that option and therefore write more grammatically correct in order for people to better understand us. Another reason is that when people are writing, it is usually for some academic or professional purpose and so the image you give of yourself is through your writing and thus, we strive to make it correct. Also in writing, we are often trying to explain something, and correct grammar makes that explanation a lot more clear and effective.
I would say that our written grammar is precise because we are conscientiously writing it? Whereas, speaking is just fluid (not that writing can't be of course). Hopefully that makes sense. When I talk, I just talk. I say funner. It's easier to say, "that was the funnest thing ever." Than, "That was the most fun thing ever." Now, I may have butchered that grammar, but hopefully you get my point.
It's important that written communication be precise since the writer is not present when it is being read. Speaking involves so much more than just the words that are being spoken. Plus the manner in which we speak is an individual thing and reflects a lot of imformation about ourselves and is a personal form of self expression.
I also think that the need to express ideas correctly is a major factor in the formality of writing. Not being able to amend a thought based on the reaction you got from your audience has a huge effect on how you put your thoughts out for there for the world.
Grammar becomes a tool we use to relate to certain types of audiences. When writing, for the most part we are in some kind of "business" environment, whether it be school or a job. In order to make the best impression we must learn to write in a correct way. The same goes for speaking in the same environment. Depending upon your job, you most likely wouldn't talk to your boss the same way you would talk to a close friend or colleague. When talking to a boss, your speech would probably reflect closely the more professional writing style. When it comes to friends, the environment is much more casual which allows you to speak for naturally and from the cuff.
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