Reflections of a reformed grammar Nazi
“Nothing bad can happen. It can only good happen.” Donald J. Trump It would be easy to write off the regular word salads of America’s 47th president as the increasingly incoherent ramblings of an elderly man in obvious mental and physical decline. However, one can also argue that Trump’s seemingly dyslexic struggles with the English language reflect a deliberate disregard for grammar rules that…
Donald Trump's language use, often criticized as incoherent or "dyslexic," actually mirrors a broader trend in American English. This trend favors simplicity, brevity, and repetition over formal syntax and punctuation. Trump's deliberate disregard for grammatical rules has proven effective in communicating with his audience, even if deemed sloppy by some critics.
This phenomenon reflects a global shift towards more streamlined English usage, prevalent in digital platforms and reducing reliance on formal linguistic rules. While some may view this as "dumbing down," others argue it's a necessary evolution of the language driven by technological advancements. This evolution facilitates faster, more effective communication across diverse cultures.
The author, a former grammar Nazi, acknowledges the shift but maintains a commitment to enforcing consistent grammar standards. Despite this, the author accepts the rise of shortened phrases and contractions as part of the language's natural evolution. For instance, "likely" now often stands alone as a substitute for "probably."
Similarly, "mob" stems from the Latin phrase "mobile vulgus," meaning "fickle crowd." The author also reflects on the changing nature of language through historical examples, like the use of "free gratis" in Deadwood, showcasing how language adapts to communicate effectively with specific audiences. Ultimately, the author recognizes the value of evolution in language, even if it means letting go of some long-held grammatical rules.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
