Ms. Potter,
I just HAD to respond to your great comments.
I smiled broadly (note that I didn't say, "LOL") at your last sentence.
My mother and I are poster children for "Grammar Snobs"; we often laugh
at ourselves for acting like 2 members of an exclusive 2-member club
that no one wants to join, laughing and pointing at other people who
couldn't care less about the rules we cherish.

Funny.



Felicia J. Morton, MSPH, CHES
Patient Education Specialist
Patient Care, Quality Management & Education

Grady Health System
80 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, SE Box 26062
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 616-5153
(404) 616-0685 - fax
fmorton at gmh.edu


>>> "Jan Potter" <jpotter at gha.org> 5/19/2008 12:29 PM >>>

I believe in using correct grammar and syntax - in fact, I am
obnoxiously passionate about it.  I teach in what is basically an
engineering school and I am generally appalled by my students' writing. 
However, I think that we need to consider the fact that the world is
moving away from what we think of as a written form of communication. 
These kids can send a text message in the time it takes me to figure out
how to turn on my cell phone or PDA.  I can despise the idea that we are
losing "our" method of effective communication, but I am wondering if
perhaps we are missing the point.

 

They communicate and they do it on their terms.  I can force them to my
terms, but exactly what is the point?  If we are trying to communicate,
don't we want to do it on THEIR terms?  I am not so sure that there is a
right or a wrong way here.  We need to be more concerned - particularly
in a health setting - about whether they hear us and understand.  Text
messaging English makes me crazy but they love it and it allows them to
communicate rapidly and fairly clearly.  Good grammar and perfect syntax
allows 2 very educated people to converse (and pat themselves on the
back about how smart they are).

 

Too often we lose the meaning for the structure.

 

Jan Potter, MSTC

Communications Specialist

Partnership for Health and Accountability

770-249-4549

www.gha.org/pha <http://www.gha.org/pha>  

 

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and in high heels.
  - Faith Whittlesey

 

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