As an EFL teacher and author of a usage guide I naturally have a certain sympathy with people who advise others on what is and is not acceptable in language. I also know that a proper language academy can help to keep a language in good shape by ironing out some illogicalities and inconsistencies. But pedantry for its own sake is an entirely different matter. The demise of the Queen's English Society is to be welcomed, and if it stops people banging on about apostrophes, so much the better!
I also know that those who give advice have a duty to obey their own rules, which the QES has signally failed to do.
Geoff Pullum writes on the Language Log. My own thoughts on language pedants are here.
Comments