I have come across a kind of snobbery circling around one's English language skills in India. Some times , people tend to fallaciously believe that mastery (relative ) of the English language indicates a superior level of intellect. Of course , due to sociocultural reasons , English is one of the best thing to have happened to this world.
It all starts in their childhood. Some people tend to have their language genes "straight" and show superior verbal and writing skills, compared to the average. Since the stuff has given them some competitive advantage , they tend to consciously put extra effort to improve their fund of words and skills in sentential composition, to gain some kind of self-gratification. Most of their peer circle will christen them as "Shakespeare".
I like such people because, they enhance our linguistic skills. Too much love for anything is counter productive. In their quest to improve their language skills, they hit the utility wall (Law of diminishing marginal utility applies here ). The poor "Shakespere" does not seem to realize it.
These people would have gained a lot were there was a law which invites capital punishment for your gramatical mistakes and poor sentential composition.
What they tend to forget is that language has got other purpose as well. Every language is a communication tool as well as a representational tool. The laws of Grammar are there to bring
down ambiguities while communicating your ideas. The human mind can easily disambiguate some stuff based on the context and past experience , even if there are some flaws in the grammar. Since Languages do evolve over a period of time , even gramatic rules are not stationary. These "Shakespeare's" will cling on to the classical usage ( so-called King's English ) and attack anyone who has forgotten to put a comma here or full stop there. Those stuff are really important , But , these snobs put their "rage" in an insulting manner. For them , first impression is the best impression. For a mistake you might have committed long back , they will still accuse you about your lack of language skills.
Among the software professionals , I have come across a pattern where people with good technical skills slowly focus on the content and for them , grammatical correctness is a secondary concern. When you communicate your ideas , context and the content also gains equal importance. But, these shakespeares won't spare us there. ( I have been a victim of such accusations even today ).
Indeed , English language gives you a better life ( at least in India ). But, it is true upto a point and slowly "meat" (content ) gains importance as the texture ( communication ).
I have not been able to tackle these "Shakespeares" in my midst because of my fear of loosing their companionship. Of course , they have helped me to improve my language skills. ( Had it not been for them , I would not have been able to blog ! ).
This is a case where "English snobs" are people whom you are forced to live with , despite your discomfort !
It all starts in their childhood. Some people tend to have their language genes "straight" and show superior verbal and writing skills, compared to the average. Since the stuff has given them some competitive advantage , they tend to consciously put extra effort to improve their fund of words and skills in sentential composition, to gain some kind of self-gratification. Most of their peer circle will christen them as "Shakespeare".
I like such people because, they enhance our linguistic skills. Too much love for anything is counter productive. In their quest to improve their language skills, they hit the utility wall (Law of diminishing marginal utility applies here ). The poor "Shakespere" does not seem to realize it.
These people would have gained a lot were there was a law which invites capital punishment for your gramatical mistakes and poor sentential composition.
What they tend to forget is that language has got other purpose as well. Every language is a communication tool as well as a representational tool. The laws of Grammar are there to bring
down ambiguities while communicating your ideas. The human mind can easily disambiguate some stuff based on the context and past experience , even if there are some flaws in the grammar. Since Languages do evolve over a period of time , even gramatic rules are not stationary. These "Shakespeare's" will cling on to the classical usage ( so-called King's English ) and attack anyone who has forgotten to put a comma here or full stop there. Those stuff are really important , But , these snobs put their "rage" in an insulting manner. For them , first impression is the best impression. For a mistake you might have committed long back , they will still accuse you about your lack of language skills.
Among the software professionals , I have come across a pattern where people with good technical skills slowly focus on the content and for them , grammatical correctness is a secondary concern. When you communicate your ideas , context and the content also gains equal importance. But, these shakespeares won't spare us there. ( I have been a victim of such accusations even today ).
Indeed , English language gives you a better life ( at least in India ). But, it is true upto a point and slowly "meat" (content ) gains importance as the texture ( communication ).
I have not been able to tackle these "Shakespeares" in my midst because of my fear of loosing their companionship. Of course , they have helped me to improve my language skills. ( Had it not been for them , I would not have been able to blog ! ).
This is a case where "English snobs" are people whom you are forced to live with , despite your discomfort !
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