22
Feb
we have agreed to speak English, and competence matters
We, as a society, as Americans, have agreed to speak English. Therefore, as a sign of respect toward one another, it becomes necessary to speak English properly.
There are geniuses in every field, and for the most part they speak English good.
I mean, well.* They have taken the time to become educated. In fact, it sometimes surprises me (and gratifies me) how well most people who are on the cutting edge of their fields communicate. But there are a few savants out there who just don’t know how to talk or write.
I knew this in some way when I was a kid, when I rooted for the maverick in anything. I rooted for the people who spent so much of themselves on their passions that they didn’t have any time left over to become educated communicators. But nowadays, I prefer the one who pays a little respect toward his fellow by taking the time to learn how to talk. It is an acknowledgment that there are other legitimate things out there in the world that have nothing to do with one’s particular urge.
I prefer that kind of person.
*see? Didn’t that make you want to claw your eyes out?
I ran the Blogger spellcheck for the first time on this. Does it leave a lot to be desired. I had to close out of it before it finished because it had one too many ludicrous suggestions.
February 22nd, 2005 at 10:51 pm