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Are You a Language Bully?

Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 6:07 pm
by Slava
Even though some of us can be a tad pedantic about meanings at times, I'm quite sure none of us is a bully, but I expect we all know one or more.

From Slate.com: Are You a Language Bully?

Re: Are You a Language Bully?

Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 8:29 pm
by Philip Hudson
If one frequently "corrects" people about language in ordinary conversation, then she/he is a language bully. If one decries, for example, the use of less instead of fewer, in the privacy of one's home, not so much. My wife and I cringe and moan when someone on television or the radio makes a language flub.

On a forum like the Agora, one should be able to state his/her point, whatever it is, without rancor on her/his part and on the part of the forum members. That way we avoid being language bullies.

If anyone catches me at it, please inform me.

Re: Are You a Language Bully?

Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2013 3:10 pm
by Slava
I just came across a 3-year old post on the Chronicle of Higher Education titled 10 Tips on How to Write Less Badly. Sadly, the comment section is closed. I wanted to "bully" the author for his first sentence:

"Most academics, including administrators, spend much of our time writing."

"Less Badly," might that not include subject/pronoun agreement? :P

Not one of the commenters caught him out on this one.

Re: Are You a Language Bully?

Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 1:49 am
by Philip Hudson
Perhaps the author, if called down for using "less badly", might reply, "My bad." He could have simply said, "better".