I am so p---ed OFF!!!

FrayedEndOfSanity wrote:I'm leaving the posts here, even though they make me look ridiculous and presumptuous. Maybe it will help other folks see things objectively, too.

They just make you look human. I agree, hopefully this thread will help people look at things more objectively. Or at least wait a little while before reacting to their anger.

Hi !

Language is an ultimately complex entity / system. People acquire it for life, even their mother tongue ! Always state with care that you can speak a language, even if it's your native language.

Are you talking about grammar or orthography here ( two different things) ?

Why would they be so strict about orthography rules with copywriters ? That's editor's job ( again writing and editing are two different disciplines)

O.K., I admit it helps if your grammar is flawless but that isn't the prime requirement for a writer, because most writers work with and have their work scanned by professional editors.

Anyway, to make a long story short, you feel angry because you want to learn it quickly and to acquire all nuances in a few years at college, etc.. Nope, it's a continuous process that lasts for life, and you will learn about the language from eclectic sources, not just your classes or books. I'll try to illustrate for you how gradual and slow this process is > you know when a child begins speaking ? it takes them months just to utter " mom' or a regular simple vowel pronunciation. Then after some time they are able to pronounce simple words, then simple phrases, later a clause, then even a sentence, etc... ( plus a variety of other underlying process ). Same principle applies when you study language at a higher, creative level. Arm yourself with patience!

Good luck with your dream career !

Well, I'll have to admit that English isn't my first language. It is, however, my native language, if that makes any sense.

Basically, I came to this country when I was very young. When I went to school, I couldn't even ask if I could go use the restroom! I made a commitment to learn English to the best of my ability. I would read books and make my own spelling lists. Speaking of orthography, a year after coming here, I noticed that my teacher didn't know the difference between striping and stripping. Not an uncommon error on her behalf; I let her mark my answer wrong and moved on with my life.

The point of that little anecdote is this: there are many, many "reputable" sources out there, and, over the years, they've left some rather conflicting information in my brain. Playing online video games for the last three years also left its mark. Also, I've lost my love of reading, and I'm slowly trying to rekindle it.

What I hope to get from my current class is clarity. So far, my efforts are paying off. The professor is awesome, and has pointed out some differences among several major stylebooks. She has also been very kind, and continuously encourages me to "keep it simple and consistent."

Although I can still read and write the language I was born speaking, I question my translating/interpreting abilities. I haven't kept up on it, and I don't know how much, or in what direction, the language has evolved in the last 20 years. So, if I go back to it, you'll probably see a similar thread. I'll probably be even more frustrated with it than with English!

You're right, two_roads. The people behind the stylebooks are career grammarians, and sometimes even they have trouble with a language's changes. One of my flaws is that I expect myself to learn everything in two days' time, so I cut myself very little slack. That's where most of my language-related rage originates. I'm equally interested in both copywriting and editing. The choice of job depends on personal preferences for environment, working from home, etc. For example, I won't work for "writer poachers," who pay $4 per plagiarized article.

Anyway, I'm still grateful for this thread and everyone's support. It's nice to be able to blow off some steam. When I wrote my OP, I was angry to the point of being light-headed--not the best condition for learning anything at all.

Read the book 'Eats, Shoots, and Leaves'. Just trust me on this one.