Posted by Karen Farina on January 13, 2000 at 18:46:37:
In Reply to: Deterioration of the English Language! posted by Nancy Domenichelli on January 13, 2000 at 15:17:58:
Hello Nancy,
I agree that the basics in proper English grammar are lacking. I see it every day when reading internal communication forms in the office. I agree only somewhat with the keyboarding skills.
There is a "flip side" to this. How much skill does one need in either correct grammar or keyboarding for the particular job or career one is training for?
For example, I work in a prison. Correctional officers must complete HANDWRITTEN general report and communication forms a few times a week, but not on a daily basis. Their primary duty is in inmate custody which requires verbal and body communication rather than written. The inmates don't really care if the officers use correct grammar; they deal in street language and that's what they understand. The grammar and spelling and punctuation errors I see coming from educated officers is amazing.
There isn't much need for these skills either in the general Labor industry [mechanics-auto or otherwise, plumbing, shipping docks, truck driving...]
There are a lot of areas where grammatical and keyboarding skills really aren't all that necessary to pursuing your career.
Overall, yes, our kids do need to prepare and our schools should be teaching them better. Then again, there are a lot of students out there who don't wish to be taught - yet. That's where our community colleges and tech schools help.
Just my 2c
Karen [aka "tcg"]