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Pragmatist
Pragmatist

Rant
Mon Jul 26 2004

This has been bugging for...forever!

English is a beautiful, expressive language, and well it should be since it has borrowed from every language on earth. But there is one sad lack that irritates me till I grit my teeth. I even see it in the newspapers, which I was taught in high school English could be considered the paragon of correct, concise, precise, informative English.

Ever since political correctness has set in, our language has taken a serious blow. I see it every time I log into someone's diary. I see it when I read diaries. As much as I love you people, please get with it.

They/Their refers to more than one person. It is not an adequate substitute pronoun for an unknown- or unstated-sex single person. "I got a letter from a friend [singular, please note]I haven't seen in just ages. They're [plural, please note](eeeek!!!) coming out for a visit." So and so "has updated their (double eeeekkk!!) diary...."

I went into my home page and changed it to HER diary. I am not a they. I am a she.

Yes, I know that he/she is awkward but "they" used as a singular pronoun is like fingernails across a blackboard.

I don't mean to sound stuffy, but English as she is spoke is bad enough in a lot of cases without deliberately murdering our beautiful language. No matter how many new expressions come into our daily use, "they" still does not, and never will be a substitute for "he" or "she."

And while I'm on a grammatical rant: I'm sure you've all heard "Me and my friend went to the mall..." Me went to the mall? Besides that grammatical goof, I was taught that "I" am listed after whoever else is involved: "My friend and I went to the mall..."

My poor ancient ears!

No, no more today. I have some other teeth-gritting grammatical errors that I may address in the future. But I got the two worst off my chest today.

Next time LIKE gets the treatment.

Shalom

10 Comments
  • From:
    Monstergue (Legacy)
    On:
    Mon Jul 26 2004
    I agree but I think it is an attempt at anymonity. "They" is being used as a word that denotes no sex, therefore no real identity. I am using it in that way, at least. I do not want to name names so I am using "they" as a keyword.
  • From:
    Lilith (Legacy)
    On:
    Mon Jul 26 2004
    *shakes head*

    Insightful rant.
    May God grant you tolerance for those in error.

    Have a good day.
  • From:
    Yetzirah (Legacy)
    On:
    Mon Jul 26 2004
    Okay, so I went over there in the customizer and changed my message, removing the dreaded "their".
    Although it sure seems like I see it used just like that all the time. It had started to sound normal to me... Oh dear!
  • From:
    Allimom (Legacy)
    On:
    Mon Jul 26 2004
    I will definitely have to ask her for advice! I had hoped for a yard between 1/3 and 1/2 acre so I could have the garden I wanted, but the lots in the community we are looking at range between 4500 and 7500 square feet. That's not much to work with!
    Alli
  • From:
    Sezrah (Legacy)
    On:
    Mon Jul 26 2004
    hehehe

    now i see how my lack of capitals might be a bother to you ;)

    don't worry, i do use them, but generally only when sending emails to important clients

    thanks for the lesson tho!

    sez
  • From:
    AeolianSolo (Legacy)
    On:
    Mon Jul 26 2004
    I feel exactly the same way. It's easy to fall into a pattern of laziness in speaking, but I always try to keep my writing grammatical, as I'm kind of a language fascist. Errors like those you mentioned drive me NUTS. My biggest pet peeve is the misuse of "it's" for "its." That's such a simple rule it boggles my mind why people can't remember it. You and I got the grammar gene, Chaya! ;)

    RYC: Thanks for the compliment re: my web page. Try selecting the text, copying and pasting into your word processing program, then printing. That might work.
  • From:
    Dreamerbooks2003 (Legacy)
    On:
    Mon Jul 26 2004
    Like, what do you mean? They and me are going to the mall. Aren't they? Like I been waiting for like ever.
    :O
    I enjoyed your comments on proper English.
    Funny how many things have changed since my school days.
    You asked if I am a Fibromyalgia sufferer. No, I don't have FM
    Although, I have several friends who say I do. I have other medical problems I suffer with. I do not need any FM to add to my troubles.
    Hope your day is filled with wonder and beauty.
  • From:
    Yetzirah (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Jul 27 2004
    Thumbs down on the white tea unfortunately.
    But if you like a light green tea like they serve at the Chinese restaurant,you might like it.
    I will bring it to Tanya and you can see what you think! :-)
    But thanks for thinking of me!
  • From:
    Fairywishes (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Jul 27 2004
    oh dear I think I have been guilty of the their thing.... not sure though

    there is a book that is really popular here at the moment all about grammar, can't remember what it is called, maybe I will get myself a copy before more essays to produce in September!

    x

    x
  • From:
    CovertOps (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Jul 27 2004
    Dear Chaya,

    *Groan!* Tell me about it! Worse, I have lesbian friends who have replaced 'she' with 'zee' and 'her' with 'hur' and all manner of ridiculous spellings! It doesn't make one empowered, it just makes one unintelligible. 'Zee won't speak to me anymore because I had hurt hur feelings'. *Groan* What a nightmare!

    I think the decline in good grammar and diction is also due to the fact that no one takes pride in speaking English well anymore. When I send text messages with correct grammar, spelling, punctuation and capitalization as I always do, I get laughed off as a geek and an obsessive-compulsive person.

    Will there be no end to the number of people falling into the abyss of wilful ignorance?

    Lots of Love,
    E.L.