From: "Robert Rogers" <robertrogers-AT-robertrogerspuppets.com>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:18:16 -0400
Subject: [Puptcrit] the changing tides of language


Whether puppeteers use a little or a lot of spoken dialogue in our productions, we should be concerned about the deterioration of the English language and try not to succumb to its lazy seduction.  After all, when we work in front of the public, and very often, in the schools, isn't it our responsibility to communicate correctly with our audiences and students?  Sadly, I hear many certified teachers making mistakes; read mistakes in newspapers, and hear terrible errors on TV newscasts and talk radio shows.  We puppeteers should not follow the crowd.  Here are some observations:

The word "an" has largely replaced "a" when used before the word "historical."  It is now becoming correct to write the awkward sounding "...a historical occasion" instead of "...an historical occasion."

On puptcrit, I often read "I'm going to work on a sculpt," instead of "sculpture."  Or, I'm in the middle of a "build," instead of "I'm in the middle of building something." 

I hear this all the time: "...he disrespected her," instead of "...he was disrespectful of her."
 
Or this violation: "...if every person would pick up their coat..."  when it should be "...if every person would pick up his or her coat..."

Here's another all too common mistake: "Me and John went to the movies."  No.  It's "John and I went to the movies."

Another one: "I know a woman that works in a store."  Sorry.  It's "I know a woman who works in a store."

Finally, a word usage, that to me is the equivalent of fingernails across a chalk board: "Sorry, it's my bad."

Yes, the popular vernacular changes, and phrases come and go.  But as we live in an age of incredible scientific achievement and discovery, so must we not throw correct grammar to the wayside. 

Robert Rogers
 
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