Dull Men’s Club By Linda Stowe
Well, there was quite the ruckus in the Facebook Dull Men’s Club group this week. The post that started it all began with this statement: “My wife has just been informed by our college freshman that ending a text with a period is considered by the young generation as passive aggressive.” She had merely texted their son with this one-word comment: “Sure.”
Apparently, the younger generation views that period as a full-stop to the conversation. In other words, they equate it with saying “that’s all I have to say about that.” The son hastened to say that this rule applies only to others in the younger generation. Accommodation is given to older individuals since they are so stuck in their ways that they would have no idea that they were affronting someone with their punctuation. In other words, they don’t know any better.
There were many responses to this post. Most focused on the importance of good punctuation to give clarity and set an example of correct usage. A few thought it was a good idea to get on board with the practices of the youngsters to build good relationships. One man suggested that “Sure” did not constitute a sentence and, therefore, did not warrant a period. Then the conversation took a turn when someone suggested that not using a period was evidence of lax parenting.
At that point someone wisely pointed out that things were beginning to get interesting, and I stopped reading. Thankfully sanity prevailed.
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Polly here.
First, I think it is hilarious that Facebook has a group of people who have come together to be known as “The Dull Men’s Club.” I just love this. That’s honesty for you.
And it seems that they are not so dull. Take today’s topic, for example. (Actually, this happened some time ago. Nonetheless. Here we are, talking about it now.)
Punctuation. Penmanship. Grammar. The English language is changing.
But here is the thing. It has been changing for a long time now.
Take this for example, written in 1591.
‘Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What’s Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What’s in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
Yeah. We don’t really talk like that anymore.
So, our language has reshaped itself.
And yet. Where is it going now that the younger generations think we should do away with things like punctuation?
I mean.
Grammar can be tricky to learn. So can spelling. And punctuation is hard. And cursive writing? Forget about it. These poor kids have it hard enough, what with all the selfies. And “following” pretty people on social media like lemmings. That takes time, by golly.
Yeah. Right.
My point is this.
We shouldn’t quit wearing safety belts in our cars just because they take some time and effort to snap into place.
Same with our language.
We shouldn’t quit using things that are essential to its understanding and existence.
Sentence 1: “Let’s eat, Grandma!”
Sentence 2: “Let’s eat Grandma!”
And that is all I have to say. Period.
Punctuation. Or not? By Linda Stowe
