Oh my. You've taken blogging to the next level. I feel so inferior. But I love her cranky self! And thank her for the grammar lesson - hearing those words/phrases used improperly always makes me cringe. 😍😄
That's one way of saying it. ha ha! You've got more class in your little blogging finger than I do in this whole water-soaked body. I wish I could write the poetry you do. xoxo
My Character #3 had a blast making the video — after spending nearly 40 years as Character #1. I know you understand. My dad & your mom sound like the same person. 🙄 Hope today is a fun one for you. {{Hugs}} & High 5’s
I used to have lively debates with my late Mother-in-law (we were very close) about grammar and spelling. When I was in my 20s I discovered 2 things that totally changed my philosophy on grammar, spelling and the English language in general. I read a book my dad (who was a highschool English teacher) gave me on the history of the English language. I discovered how much elitism drove changes in the language so the upper crust could distinguish themselves from the riffraff (also spelled riff raff). From then on I've used the simpler US spellings (program not programme, color not colour ...).
The other big turning point was when our family inherited a dictionary from the 1700’s. I was shocked and fascinated with how much the English language had changed in a mere couple hundred years ... spelling, connotation, denotation, words no longer in use, common words today not it the old dictionary.
My MIL loved words and language and was definitely of the mindset that the way she learned things as a child was the way they should remain. One of her "bugbears" was 'irregardless'. She would argue it is just wrong and I would argue that irregardless was in such common use and conveyed a meaning well understood by most, that it should be considered a proper word for our time.
Oh boy, I wish I could have been in those conversations. I spent a lot of time in Jr. English trying to prove to the kids that language & literature reflect the times in which it is written. Some times I had them do brass rubbings of tombstones to show how language changed. That was fun! And, of course, the videos they to produced proving it were priceless. I used to tell them if they had the ability to write & speak well, they could choose anywhere they wanted to go in life. Thanks so joining in my Substack community. xoxo
This bugs me to no end! You hear it all the time when journalists are interviewing citizens! Sometimes I watch Judge Judy before starting dinner, at least she corrects them and sometimes tells them to go take an English course. Another thing is the double negatives……. I don’t have nothing more to say 😄😄😄😄😄
Thanks, Diane ~ for giving another grammar lesson to feature. Some month I'll do the double negative . Probably won't be as effective as Judge Judy, but we'll give it a try.
Love this! You are so right about people in the business to know the correct usage of the rules of ENGLISH actually using it INCORRECTLY ! Where are the proofreaders or prooflisteners (is that even a word?)?
Jan, thank you for this! I love it. I taught reading and as you know, language is such a large part of being able to comprehend the written word. While I absolutely love a particular Canadian tv show about life on an Alberta ranch, there are so many grammar mistakes, I cringe. This is particularly true for me when the supposed college educated make them. My children call me the grammar Nazi!
I love this very funny if my dad were still living and read some of my writings he would roll his eyes. He always makes us re read our writing and use proper grammar 😂
Lucy — my dad used to drive me crazy correcting my grammar… now here I am doing the same thing. 😂 But I never do it to people one-on-one. Hope all is well for you & your hubby. xoxo
Hi Barbara — I try not being the nazi because that’s what my dad did to me — but people still tell me they are afraid to send emails or comments because I’ll see their mistakes. That’s one reason I’m doing this old lady bit — to make people more comfortable. Plus I’m having fun. 😂
Jan, you tickle me to death! I already love your kooky little friend. Will you be at the transformation party in Canada September 5th? If you are, I want to bring my book and have you sign it for me. Thanks for always getting my attention and making me smile.
Oh my. You've taken blogging to the next level. I feel so inferior. But I love her cranky self! And thank her for the grammar lesson - hearing those words/phrases used improperly always makes me cringe. 😍😄
That's one way of saying it. ha ha! You've got more class in your little blogging finger than I do in this whole water-soaked body. I wish I could write the poetry you do. xoxo
I have to confess, this is a hard subject for me! My mother still corrects me. I have to think about it often. I loved your video! It was fabulous!! 😀
My Character #3 had a blast making the video — after spending nearly 40 years as Character #1. I know you understand. My dad & your mom sound like the same person. 🙄 Hope today is a fun one for you. {{Hugs}} & High 5’s
This is fun, creative and clever.
I used to have lively debates with my late Mother-in-law (we were very close) about grammar and spelling. When I was in my 20s I discovered 2 things that totally changed my philosophy on grammar, spelling and the English language in general. I read a book my dad (who was a highschool English teacher) gave me on the history of the English language. I discovered how much elitism drove changes in the language so the upper crust could distinguish themselves from the riffraff (also spelled riff raff). From then on I've used the simpler US spellings (program not programme, color not colour ...).
The other big turning point was when our family inherited a dictionary from the 1700’s. I was shocked and fascinated with how much the English language had changed in a mere couple hundred years ... spelling, connotation, denotation, words no longer in use, common words today not it the old dictionary.
My MIL loved words and language and was definitely of the mindset that the way she learned things as a child was the way they should remain. One of her "bugbears" was 'irregardless'. She would argue it is just wrong and I would argue that irregardless was in such common use and conveyed a meaning well understood by most, that it should be considered a proper word for our time.
Fun to think about.
Looking forward to future episodes.
Oh boy, I wish I could have been in those conversations. I spent a lot of time in Jr. English trying to prove to the kids that language & literature reflect the times in which it is written. Some times I had them do brass rubbings of tombstones to show how language changed. That was fun! And, of course, the videos they to produced proving it were priceless. I used to tell them if they had the ability to write & speak well, they could choose anywhere they wanted to go in life. Thanks so joining in my Substack community. xoxo
This bugs me to no end! You hear it all the time when journalists are interviewing citizens! Sometimes I watch Judge Judy before starting dinner, at least she corrects them and sometimes tells them to go take an English course. Another thing is the double negatives……. I don’t have nothing more to say 😄😄😄😄😄
Thanks, Diane ~ for giving another grammar lesson to feature. Some month I'll do the double negative . Probably won't be as effective as Judge Judy, but we'll give it a try.
Love this! You are so right about people in the business to know the correct usage of the rules of ENGLISH actually using it INCORRECTLY ! Where are the proofreaders or prooflisteners (is that even a word?)?
Jan, thank you for this! I love it. I taught reading and as you know, language is such a large part of being able to comprehend the written word. While I absolutely love a particular Canadian tv show about life on an Alberta ranch, there are so many grammar mistakes, I cringe. This is particularly true for me when the supposed college educated make them. My children call me the grammar Nazi!
I love this very funny if my dad were still living and read some of my writings he would roll his eyes. He always makes us re read our writing and use proper grammar 😂
Lucy — my dad used to drive me crazy correcting my grammar… now here I am doing the same thing. 😂 But I never do it to people one-on-one. Hope all is well for you & your hubby. xoxo
Finally allowed to drive now but no lifting yet and not staring on computer screens no more than 1/2 hour every 4 hours.
Jan you are so smart and funny love it …. You need to give me some lessons I’m hopeless 😩 ❤️
Hi Lynn — sometimes it’s fun to be crazy. 😂 Glad you like her. {{Hugs}}
Very cute....I remember teaching some of the basic uses to first graders....great video, she's a lot of fun!
Thanks! Spent years teaching grammar to high school sophomores. Boring! 😂 This is much more fun…
HI Jan, I love it! These are such useful hints for this new writer. Thanks so much, to the little old lady with the red purse.
Thanks, Janice ~ it sure is fun. I'm glad it's useful to you. {{Hugs}}
Hi Barbara — I try not being the nazi because that’s what my dad did to me — but people still tell me they are afraid to send emails or comments because I’ll see their mistakes. That’s one reason I’m doing this old lady bit — to make people more comfortable. Plus I’m having fun. 😂
Jan, you tickle me to death! I already love your kooky little friend. Will you be at the transformation party in Canada September 5th? If you are, I want to bring my book and have you sign it for me. Thanks for always getting my attention and making me smile.