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Grammar & Generation Gaps
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.Definitely. The cultural influences of television, computers, and especially texting, have combined with the lack of proper time devoted to the teaching of reading and writing to ensure that grammar, spelling and punctuation are at an all-time low.
Music has also changed insofar as the ways in which people absorb it. Portable media mean that far more people listen to music whilst doing other things, as opposed to the previous generation who would set aside specific time to listen to music in a static stereo or radio. For me, the listening experience demands time and attention - I never have 'background' music, even in the car, I am paying attention, and at home, I like a set undisturbed periood of time to listen to my music.
Spelling, punctuation and grammar? Please, I don't see why kids can't learn how to spell and write correctly from reception. I just don't understand why people seem to think that it is ok to blame computers ,and mobile phones for children's poor English. If they can't tell the difference between modern slang, txt and computer talk, and proper spelling, just what are they learning in school?
It is like blaming children's poor arithmetic on the fact that they use calculators from year 6. Nothing to do with generation, just lazy and unnecessary.
Sophieb - just a quick note on the x-table: I don't think that learning up to x10 and not up to x12 is a problem. The reason we (assuming you're old enough) learnt up to x12 was because of Lsd and, now we've gone decimal, it's no longer necessary.
I don't think anyone will disagree about the need for teachers to correct spellings; I still wince at the memory of my parents sending my corrected homework back to school... with the teacher's corrections amended.
mimififi; I was talking about the evolution of language as much as I was focussing on correct usage.
We accept that rock music evolves through different genres,like punk, heavy metal and grunge, but they're all equally valid and share a common root. Shouldn't we accept different styles in English as well and don't those styles of usage reflect the age of the user?
If you use full sentences etc. when text messaging, isn't it akin to writing a letter to a friend using the language of Shakespeare.
Doesn't our style of usage evolve? Spelling was never really important in Shakespeare's day and concern about split infinitives will seem antiquated within a generation.
I was trying to keep the question short and I accept in so doing, I may have added confusion when I was searching for clarity. Sorry!
The difference with music is that you know the difference between different genres, but some kids out there accept the new way and have no comprehension of the actual way, which makes it difficult when it comes to things like UCAS forms or job applications etc, as has been mentioned by someone else.
I'm not againt the new, but I think I need to make sure that my kids know the other way too. Else, it'd be like teaching that only Britney and Boyzone existed, and never making anyone listen to the beatles or U2. Treacherous, frankly.
Sorry, that I came across the way i did, I get a bit fired up over these things. It all comes from being head over heels in love with the English Language.....:-)
We must all change with the times. I am tempted to use text speak when typing words like thank you in emails, I spend a great deal of time checking my spelling and punctuation, time I could gain back by shortening the basic words. The difference is I was taught the hard way and it would be my choice to make the task easier. I nearly fell of my chair when I read a question on phrases and sayings
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Phrases-and-Sayings/Question163494.html
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