I’m a Grammar Pedant.
And it may well cost me my job.
The boss sent out an email about the new website, asking for teacher pictures and introductions. Having a look around the site, I noticed several glaring grammar errors and some careless typos. Well, if you’re trying to convince the world that your reading system produces the best readers in the world, why the hell would you have a website with so many English language mistakes?
I thought a lot about it. I’m coming up against cultural stuff like nobody’s business here. The company is overwhelmingly Korean, which means it’s very top-down. You’re not allowed to question authority. I don’t know if you’re even allowed to make suggestions. But I sent the boss a tentative email suggesting that if we wanted to showcase how well we teach kids to read, we might want to address the grammar and usage issues. I didn’t mention the typos.
I just got an email back informing me that the website was designed by the Head Office in New York, and that he would notify them of my observations. I certainly hope he will. I told him to please email them my contact information, should they wish to ask me anything.
I sincerely hope I haven’t offended anyone just by being a white lady with opinions. But the fact is, right now, that website is an embarrassment to the company. I have students who don’t make those grammar errors.
Also, I hope he doesn’t can me for being mouthy.
Some Stuff | Liz February 3, 2010
By Beth, February 3, 2010 @ 5:41 pm
I think that people who know things should share them with people who don’t in contexts where knowing will help them.
“You shouldn’t drink that water, it’s been poisoned.”
“Using an apostrophe on a plural noun gives the impression that you failed grade two.”
I’m glad you have accepted your responsibility.
By Liz, February 4, 2010 @ 10:42 am
Yes, exactly. Advertising our ‘vocabuary’ program is business suicide.
By clara, February 4, 2010 @ 7:45 pm
LOLBeth.
Nice one, Liz. I would be thinking, “will I get canned…or promoted?” ..in the movie of your life I am planning in my head, you get promoted. And you get to move to New York! Just for a while. Think of the gigs E could work in New York.
By Stephanie, February 5, 2010 @ 9:45 am
I would really hope something like this would be rewarded and not punished.
By Liz, February 6, 2010 @ 7:27 pm
New York is a looooong shot, but wouldn’t it be cool?
Stephanie, I hope so, too.