Is Grammar Dying Before Our Eyes?
The fundamental point of maintaining good grammar is to establish clear guidelines so that written words can be understood properly, staying true to its desired interpretation. Of course, on the other hand, if one were to write the phrase, “I’m gonna go home,” nearly everyone would clearly walk away knowing exactly what was meant. The debate between proper grammar, as defined by say the AP Stylebook, and linguistic styling continues to rage across all disciplines of the written word. Some writers contend that in creative writing grammar is simply a restrictive measure that stifles creativity. Particularly in an age when everyone with a computer and an internet connection can become a published author within the day, is there even really a point in policing or condemning the writing of others simply for lack of punctuation?Conversely, adhering to common grammar guidelines, which is less and less common in this digital era, now serves as an easy way to separate intelligent writers from those who might as well have accidentally sat on their keyboard. Assuming the good, grammar-abiding writers aren’t lost in the clutter, properly written words shine even brighter when surrounded by poorly formed sentences (often times just sentence fragments, if we were to get technical). In this sense, grammar can be used semi-consciously to give inherent credibility to the author of a web posting or internet article. At the same time it can also undermine writers with less polish. There will always be a place for proper grammar no matter the medium through which words appear.This is not to say there aren’t perfectly acceptable times in which grammar should play second or third fiddle. After all, would Mark Twain’s Adventures of Tom Sawyer be celebrated as the same epic achievement if Tom fully pronounced every suffix? In such cases where a lack of grammar preserves authenticity common rules should be avoided; however, there is a clear cut difference between intentionally disregarding grammar and sloppy writing.