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  Sara Rosinsky • Shiny Red Copy

sara's Shiny red blog

Spelling counts.

7/12/2020

10 Comments

 
Picture


​

I've said before that I am not a grammar Nazi. I have no interest in shaming anyone or trying to prove any kind of superiority. I promise.

I do believe, however, that many people—particularly businesspeople—want to write clearly and correctly, and I'm happy to help them achieve that goal.

So a while back, when a customer service rep typed "your welcome" to me, I shared the above screenshot on LinkedIn. I pointed out that it's an extremely common error and explained ​that when you say "you're welcome," you're creating a contraction of "you are welcome." I thought it might help some people better understand and remember the correct spelling.

(I did not​ write, or even imply, "Look how stupid this person is." I simply explained the correct spelling.)

I was surprised when I got this response from a "senior business development manager":
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Huh.

I had to think about that just a bit.

While I was thinking, I did a bit of "research" (read: Googling) about this conviction that so long as we can understand each other, we shouldn't be fussing about apostrophes and spelling.

And I discovered that this senior business development manager's opinion was not unique. I found a meme that echoed his sentiment with just a touch more vulgarity:
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I won't even comment on that missing apostrophe. I'll just address the question.

First—in my defense, I never correct people directly unless I know they want me to, and then I only do so privately.

But as for the "correctness" thing, I'll explain "why the fuck" it matters.

It matters because we live in a society. With conventions and expectations. And—occasionally—manners. We abide by certain rules to get along harmoniously. To establish credibility. To gain trust and respect. This is why you don't typically show up for a job interview barefoot or pick your nose when you're meeting your new neighbors. It's why you stand in line and wear pants in Starbucks. It's why your doctor doesn't buff his fingernails while he's listing your treatment options.

Also, writing is about connecting and communicating with our readers. We owe them the kindness of making our message as clear as possible. It's like holding a door open for them. It's polite. We're helping them along. We're putting in a good effort to save them trouble. We're showing them respect.

I admit that writing is a series of judgment calls, and I might write more casually on Twitter than I would on behalf of a higher education client. But fundamentally, I always try to think about the people reading my writing, and I try to treat them well.

So that's "the issue," and that's my position, for anyone who's wondering.

You're welcome.
10 Comments
M-J Ferrara
7/13/2020 12:21:19 am

I like your style, Sara. (And, an aside: I don’t see Patrick Stewart forgetting the apostrophe. Just sayin’.)

Reply
Sara Rosinsky link
7/13/2020 07:54:41 am

First, thank you. 😊Second, you raise a good point—I wonder how Patrick Stewart feels, having his likeness used for such things.

Reply
Kyle C
3/26/2021 08:51:41 am

Great post.

Does a suit make a businessman competent? Of course not.

Neither does good writing guarantee that someone is thoughtful and intelligent- but it sure is a good sign!

Reply
Sara Rosinsky link
3/26/2021 08:53:42 am

Yes—true! (And thank you.)

Reply
Michael C
3/26/2021 10:03:58 am

I'd say "necessary, but not sufficient". Clarity is key, and I've encountered far too many examples of people who assumed others knew what they meant, because the author him/herself did, and yet, readers often misinterpreted.

Similarly:

https://www.cracked.com/photoplasty_1186_the-20-most-disastrously-misunderstood-texts-possible/

Reply
Sara Rosinsky link
4/3/2021 07:30:17 am

Yes, yesterday I read about a Supreme Court case that boiled down to writing clarity. https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/supreme-court-rules-for-facebook-in-dispute-over-texts-justices-spar-over-series-modifier-canon

Reply
Jim Saelzler
3/26/2021 07:18:49 pm

I wonder whether that "senior business development manager" is as tolerant of errors by those who report to him or her.

Reply
Sara Rosinsky link
3/26/2021 07:21:40 pm

I wonder, too.

Reply
Stjepan link
4/3/2021 03:45:48 am

Hi Sara!
I personally feel that making sure your language is correct is a sign of showing respect for the person you're talking to. Just like wearing pants when stepping out the door.
Using sloppy "text message language" in a formal, and often informal, communication is, in my opinion a clear message of "I don't respect you enough to bother checking my language". It's not very far from using profanities where inappropriate.
In a country like Denmark where English is not the official language but it's still the one most spoken in corporations - you'll often get this "as long as we understand each other" excuse with even extra weight added to it.
And I'm not buying it, especially because, if not challenged, it often makes its way to corporate presentations which then not only reflect the person presenting but the company image itself.
I don't care if someone will name me Grammar Stalag Commander - because I feel I'm doing my colleagues a favor by correcting them. So far, my input has been highly appreciated. It's also about how it's said, of course, with a clear good intention and a hint of humility.
Best wishes,
Stjepan

Reply
Sara Rosinsky link
4/3/2021 08:39:16 am

Hear, hear! 👏👏👏

Reply

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