One thing that is nails on chalkboard to me is when I hear my fellow nurses use double negatives and other blatant grammar mistakes. I'm speaking of English as a first language, domestically born and raised people.
I feel as this detracts from the professional image of nursing. We are supposed to be educated professionals. Poor grammar makes nursing look like a blue collar trade to those who are educated, such as our physicians and many members of the public.
Let me clarify that I don't harshly judge the intelligence or moral character of people with poor grammar. But, I feel strongly that nurses should project an image of being educated professionals in our speech and demeanor. Thanks for reading.
I wouldn't label someone 'so ignorant' just because of one grammar mistake. I never use that 'word', but until I read this thread I didn't know it wasn't officially a word. Maybe if enough people start using it it'll get in the dictionary. After all, that's how language evolves. I've seen meanings of words change in my lifetime.
Afterall, who would have thought that 'google' would be a verb and 'gay' would be not straight, and that 'straight' would mean not gay?
Ok, this reminds me of a word that drives me nuts when I hear it.
How do you say "centimeter"? I was taught in grade school it is pronounced "SCENTimeter"...where in the h... do people get "SAUNTimeter?" I've never heard it pronounced this way until actually working my NICU job. Is this some foreign pronunciation? Or a way to make you sound smart?
Or I am just ignorant about this word?
BTW: I don't know how to write out the pronunciation...lol...but hopefully someone will understand me!
Specializes in ER, ICU, Infusion, peds, informatics.
ok, this reminds me of a word that drives me nuts when i hear it.
how do you say "centimeter"? i was taught in grade school it is pronounced "scentimeter"...where in the h... do people get "sauntimeter?" i've never heard it pronounced this way until actually working my nicu job. is this some foreign pronunciation? or a way to make you sound smart?
or i am just ignorant about this word?
btw: i don't know how to write out the pronunciation...lol...but hopefully someone will understand me!
:) i do believe we have discussed that here before.
it is the french pronounciation. i think some learn it it school growing up. irritates me, too. i'm learning to "let it go."
I don't think I'm very judgmental about individuals not using proper grammar. A nurse gets to see all kind of people and we should not approach them with a judgmental opinion only because of their grammar.
BUT, I could go on and on talking about all the things that I think really need lots of improvement in the American education system. I'm from Germany, and our education is by no means perfect, but when I first came to the US and continuously made the best grades of all students (allmost all of them US citizens) in two English Composition classes, I knew that something was very weird about American education. How are students supposed to learn how to write, when all they do is multiple choice tests except if it is specifically a course in writing?
Yet, regardless of the fact that I try to write and talk proper English, I still have - and probably always will have - a funny German accent when I talk. I know that a lot of people hear an accent and also automatically interfere that they are dealing with a person of inferior intelligence. So if I don't want to be judged for my accent, I shouldn't judge others for bad grammar.
I know that a lot of people hear an accent and also automatically interfere that they are dealing with a person of inferior intelligence.
I seriously doubt that that is true. In fact I think you're guilty of just the stereotyping that you're lamenting.[/quote']
Seems like she'd be in the best position to evaluate the responses she's gotten. People often do have a reaction to someone who is different. I have seen this kind of behavior in action. It's usually not intentional. In fact, on occasions when it was pointed out to the ones having the reaction, they were genuinely surprised. It's that automatic. Especially if it's never been challenged. In almost every case, there was no real insult intended--the reaction was based on flawed perceptions--and apologies were quick in coming.
You don't have to be guilty of stereotyping to acknowledge an odd reaction if you receive it time and again. Of course, after a while, you do have to be careful that you don't anticipate and project something that isn't there.
The irony of all of this is that some of us have to resist making judgments about those who use poor grammar and usage, while others need to avoid making the same kinds of judgments about those who speak too well. He's ignorant. She's just a hick. He's conceited. She's trying to act white. The list goes on. It may be human nature, but it's still sad that we settle for first impressions and don't go on to learn more.
i have a grammar question. sometimes i don't know when to use the word 'that' and when to leave it out. here is an example.
i think that it is fine.
or
i think it is fine.
there is no hard and fast rule. what i usually do is take it out and see if the sentence still makes sense. if it does, i leave it out. this is especially true if there is more than one "that" in the sentence. he said that that wouldn't be a problem. changing it to read, he said that wouldn't be a problem, doesn't alter the meaning, and it sounds better.
having judged a number of writing contests, i find that to be commonly overused.
Seems like she'd be in the best position to evaluate the responses she's gotten.
Sure she would. Of course, she said nothing about responses that she's gotten nor any of her personal experiences but rather just made a blanket statement.
Her statement simply defies my own experience. I suppose that living in California most of my life (save the few years in Africa, Asia, and Europe) has given me a fairly narrow perspective on the issue.
Around these parts, you come across so many accents all the time in all sorts of places from all sorts of people that the view she's experiencing would be so hard to maintain.
Of course, I've been stunned by some of the judgments that I've heard some folks make based simply on someone's skin color or country of origin.
Recognizing that this branch has gone OT, you'll get no objection from me if you decide to redact it a bit.
It is along the lines of saying "sont-ah-meter" . . . .
Not meaning to be offensive at all to the previous poster but using "save" instead of "except" has driven me crazy for years.
Way back in college at Chico State I had an English prof who was also driven crazy by the use of "save".
It isn't incorrect grammar . . . . just a bit hoity-toity. I'm sure most folks don't mean it that way.
As to being judged by accent . . . my own maternal side of the family is from Arkansas and Oklahoma. They all have heavy accents. I cringe when I hear stereotypes of "hicks" using a southern accent.
I guess I'm guilty of judging people who use "save" and "sont-ah-meter". ;)
;)
FireStarterRN, BSN, RN
3,824 Posts
I wouldn't label someone 'so ignorant' just because of one grammar mistake. I never use that 'word', but until I read this thread I didn't know it wasn't officially a word. Maybe if enough people start using it it'll get in the dictionary. After all, that's how language evolves. I've seen meanings of words change in my lifetime.
Afterall, who would have thought that 'google' would be a verb and 'gay' would be not straight, and that 'straight' would mean not gay?