This thread comes up frequently. I have thoughts on both sides. I try to improve myself but I still make errors; don't we all? My spelling is often awful, too.
On the other hand, some of the smartest people I've known in my life had little schooling. In my area many women died in childbirth years ago so the children often had to quit school. My mother was orphaned at age 11 but did finish the 10th grade. However, she had to miss school on wash days, etc. My dad's cousin was brilliant in his work as a handyman, electrician, carpenter, etc. He could repair any radio in a New York minute! Maybe older people should be given a pass on grammar for that reason--they were working their butts off as children.
I think proper language is important but it is not the most important thing that I see in a person. Character counts more with me. I see mistakes frequently by a poster of this subject. I was taught, for example, that the word "English" was capitalized. I see a contradiction as in "each" person should carry "their" own books. That subject came up during the last grammar thread and some on this board said it was correct. That's not how I was taught in English class. Maybe the English language changes from time to time. Edwin Newman and newsmen of his generation were great role models.
It also depends on the career a person chooses. I expect more from a news anchor than the average person. In the past, southerners were great story tellers. I'm not going to get bent out of shape at improper grammar if I hear a funny story or see the warmth of a smile--we need to lighten up maybe.
On the other hand, some of the smartest people I've known in my life had little schooling. In my area many women died in childbirth years ago so the children often had to quit school. My mother was orphaned at age 11 but did finish the 10th grade. However, she had to miss school on wash days, etc. My dad's cousin was brilliant in his work as a handyman, electrician, carpenter, etc. He could repair any radio in a New York minute! Maybe older people should be given a pass on grammar for that reason--they were working their butts off as children.
I think proper language is important but it is not the most important thing that I see in a person. Character counts more with me. I see mistakes frequently by a poster of this subject. I was taught, for example, that the word "English" was capitalized. I see a contradiction as in "each" person should carry "their" own books. That subject came up during the last grammar thread and some on this board said it was correct. That's not how I was taught in English class. Maybe the English language changes from time to time. Edwin Newman and newsmen of his generation were great role models.
It also depends on the career a person chooses. I expect more from a news anchor than the average person. In the past, southerners were great story tellers. I'm not going to get bent out of shape at improper grammar if I hear a funny story or see the warmth of a smile--we need to lighten up maybe.
