Why It Is Grammer And Not Grammar
Happy New Year guys!
I found it fitting to begin the year on a light note. This hopefully ushers in a period of regular blog posts.
Whenever I correct a spelling or grammatical error on Twitter, I tag it #GrammerNazi.Predictably, the first @ replies graciously point out that it is #Grammar, at which I insist it’s #Grammer.
Before I explain why its #Grammer, I recommend you read this post about creating a Life Plan. This is in light of the fact that we’re 2 days into the new year, and maybe already breaking our new year resolutions. It’s always better to work with a plan than one off resolutions, which I believe don’t work.
Onto the reason for this post. A few definitions will clear this up:
1. Normal Kenyan
This can be defined as the Kenyan to whom English is the third or even fourth language. To them, “Kizungu kilikuja na meli” (English came by ship). For that reason, they know they make mistakes in their speech and writing, but this doesn’t stop them from enjoying life. I am an example of a Normal Kenyan. I respect the language, and for that reason when communicating officially, I will go out of my way to use proper language(Dictionary.com is my friend). However, in social settings, I don’t really feel the need to use flawless English to communicate. When I have to use perfect English in a social setting, I in fact get a little stressed.
More often than not, my English sentences are a direct translation of my first two languages (Kimeru and Kiswahili), and I don’t sweat it, as long as I’m communicating. A discussion about the infamous Kimeru accent would be a whole blog post by itself. The same applies to this blog. A #GrammarNazi (to be defined shortly), would probably find over 20 grammatical errors in this post, but I am sure it’s communicating.
2. #GrammarNazi
I will try not to be stereotypical here, but from observation, a #GrammarNazi probably attended a “Group of Schools” during their formative years, and was taught by a teacher who spoke with nasal tones.
The #GrammarNazi is a stickler for correct language use, and listening to the Normal Kenyan speak irritates them to no end. They will not hesitate to correct the Normal Kenyan’s misuse of the Queen’s Language, both privately and publicly. A problem arises when a #GrammarNazi makes a grammatical or spelling error that is noticed by the Normal Kenyan. The Normal Kenyan understands grace, because people extend it to him for his poor language use daily, but at the same time is extremely amused that the perfect #GrammarNazi makes mistakes. This has happened to me countless times, and I usually chuckle, take a screenshot and share with my best friend, and this gave rise to #GrammerNazi.
3. #GrammerNazi
This isn’t an original invention of Kellie and her best friend. We picked a gem from an online thread of #GrammarNazis that were discussing the poor use of “grammer” in schools today. These language maestros didn’t seem to notice that they got the word wrong, and the rant went on.
A #GrammerNazi is most of us. We don’t speak (or write) perfect English, we sometimes correct others (or judge them silently), but we pretend to extend grace when #GrammarNazis err, though every fiber of our being wants to point out their errors.
Tagging a tweet #GrammerNazi is our way of admitting that we also make mistakes, but the error was too significant to ignore.
Here’s to a gracious 2012!
