Back in "my day" teachers could spell, properly pronounce words, do math without electronic help, knew that Jews didn't believe in Jesus (yes readers, that did happen in the school system of a major US city), and were allowed to discipline students (OK I didn't think they should have been able to hit them, but there was not any doubt who was in charge.) Teachers and other people in the public eye almost always could and did use decent grammar. Has every day common sense teaching fallen by the wayside? Are teachers without that skill or do the curricula not allow it? Or do the students just ignore the teaching? Probably a combination of all three. Look at all the fuss about teaching to the test: never mind teaching what the students will need for the rest of their lives. Do the second and the first automatically follows.
Does anyone still know when to use "me" and when to use "I" - when to use "he" or "she" and when to use "him" or her"? And which to use first and which second? Who can still pronounce height not as if it were spelled heigth? I hear all of these atrocities repeatedly used and not just in casual conversation. Listen carefully and you will hear it from educated people, people in the media and elected officials. As for sports figures: well it's noticeable when they don't make these errors.
Have you ever given a cashier a five dollar bill and a dime for a $4.09 purchase? Did they just look at you as if you were crazy? Could they count out your change or did they have to have the register compute the amount and then just dump it into your hand? Yes, I know many employers insist that workers use the change compute method, but they should still count back to you- either from the sale to amount given, or the amount of the change - they could have picked up the wrong amount after all.
Are reading skills still taught? Exposure to good books? Even college educated people often have no knowledge of "the classics" in literature, music or art. History? Look at how many cannot name the current Vice President, or even who the first President of the U. S. was. World War II is only a vague concept to too many who have no idea of how that war changed the world. Will we be doomed to repeat history. I don't want my grandkids to have to suffer through something like that.
On the positive side, today there is more teaching of and knowledge of science and medicine than ever before. Although sometimes I think some areas have gone too far. Another subject for a later rant. I think I will also leave common courtesy for another time. That's more a responsibility of the home and family, with teachers just backing it up.
Have you ever given a cashier a five dollar bill and a dime for a $4.09 purchase? Did they just look at you as if you were crazy? Could they count out your change or did they have to have the register compute the amount and then just dump it into your hand? Yes, I know many employers insist that workers use the change compute method, but they should still count back to you- either from the sale to amount given, or the amount of the change - they could have picked up the wrong amount after all.
Are reading skills still taught? Exposure to good books? Even college educated people often have no knowledge of "the classics" in literature, music or art. History? Look at how many cannot name the current Vice President, or even who the first President of the U. S. was. World War II is only a vague concept to too many who have no idea of how that war changed the world. Will we be doomed to repeat history. I don't want my grandkids to have to suffer through something like that.
On the positive side, today there is more teaching of and knowledge of science and medicine than ever before. Although sometimes I think some areas have gone too far. Another subject for a later rant. I think I will also leave common courtesy for another time. That's more a responsibility of the home and family, with teachers just backing it up.
No kidding! And what bugs me the worst is when people on tv use "and I" WRONG repeatedly. I keep thinking "oh, you want to sound intelligent and instead you sound IGNORANT."
ReplyDeleteRight! If you'd use me if only talking about yourself it is "and me" only if you'd use I do you use "and I"
ReplyDeleteThat is for you and me
You and I went there