tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8743841912028246535.post1103226743929925783..comments2023-10-10T06:48:40.299-03:00Comments on the feminist librarian: quick hit: a linguists delightannajcookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17573723390785613915noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8743841912028246535.post-78470106061280874372010-04-21T11:50:58.516-03:002010-04-21T11:50:58.516-03:00Thanks for the thoughtful comment, soirore!
I agr...Thanks for the thoughtful comment, soirore!<br /><br />I agree that the issue is complicated and multi-layered. As you point out, conformity in language is closely associated with social and economic power in our culture -- knowing how to use the grammar of the dominant culture opens doors for us in lots of ways. As someone who is in the process of putting together a professional CV and looking for post-graduate school jobs, I'm acutely aware of this. <br /><br />At the same time, I think too often this connection between grammar and privilege is ignored for what it is: something we (as a society) have chosen to enforce. It's not an objective reality, it's not a "natural" relationship. Too often, people who correct other folks' grammar or speech turn it into a judgment of that person's intellectual abilities or character -- rather than talking about it in the context of playing by the rules of the folks in power to get what you want (to put it totally crassly). <br /><br />It's not the existence of such conventions that frustrates me -- it's the way we have obscured the fact of their creation over time, the fact that they are contextual rather than some inherent linguistic "right."annajcookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17573723390785613915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8743841912028246535.post-15680229175085618992010-04-21T10:38:04.092-03:002010-04-21T10:38:04.092-03:00I am split on this issue. Part of me loves that th...I am split on this issue. Part of me loves that there is the potential in language to be creative and use words, grammar and spelling differently.<br /><br />But I work in Higher Education, more specifically in careers information. Part of what we do is helping students to apply for jobs and there is a certain way to write a CV for example. Conformity in format is valued. I think part of it is to show that you can follow rules and instructions. Even when jobs require creative and unusual thinking the recruiter needs to be able to understand the applicant's skills/ experiences/ education etc.<br /><br />With CVs/ Resumes there is always an issue with judgement and prejudice. To me following grammatic or linguistic rules when writing one is a small concession compared to the many other ways we may (need to) conceal our individuality in the workplace.<br /><br />Also I must admit that I, personally, like such rules. It makes my life easier to know how I am expected to spell something or whatever. It doesn't mean that I am always able to (or want to) follow them, but it's comforting to me to know that they are there.soirorenoreply@blogger.com