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John Posada wrote:
>>> To me, anybody's presence on this
>>> list proves their interest and committment to communication.
>>
>> Then grammar is not subservient to "message." Both content
>> and vehicle have to be accurate.
>
> Bonnie...I know what it sounds like and I don't mean to say
> that grammar is subservient. I mean to say that EVERYTHING
> is subservient to the goal getting the desired result of a
> piece of writing.
>
Absolutely. We are in total agreement. Maybe even violent agreement.
; )
> If I have a complex installation procedure, I'll use sign
> language, pigeon English, Ebonics, Pig Latin, smoke signals,
> emoticons, King's English, American English, or Wired
> English as long as by the time they get through 40 steps
> with no errors or questions, the server boots up, finds the
> network, launches the application, and starts processing
> data correctly.
>
> The result is King. Everything else secondary.
>
I'll drink to that.
> If a specific incorrect grammar element prevents this from
> happening, then that element is bad. OTOH, if because of
> limited time, I must pick sending to an editor to check for
> grammar, or to a network ops manager to check for IP
> addresses, then singular verbs, parallel construction,
> dangling participles, passive voicing, or any number of
> other grammar elements are just going to have to wait until
> the next review cycle.
>
Oh, no question.
> OTOH, I don't want poor grammar in my documentation. I can
> result in miscommunication. As a professional technical
> writer, I need to understand grammar, and try to practice
> it. However, it is only part of the whole, not standing
> alone.
>
Absolutely. Frankly, I think it is the misrepresentation of what I say
and what others say that makes it appear we disagree, when we really
don't. If you listen to others' statements of what I am saying, you
can be misled.
>> Then people who say that grammar and writing is fundamental
shouldn't
>> be slapped around here.
>
> You're right...only Keith should be slapped around, but only
> because he likes it.
>
Yes, I think you have a point there, John. Now, is he within slapshot
of Boston, I wonder, or is he the poor fool down in sunny Florida?
B.
(listening to the wonderful Wolfstone CD "Unleashed" and yearning for
Eire)
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