I’ve swept the blog clean once again and am forced into print to address a pressing issue (having dealt rather forcefully to the other pressing issue, the ironing mountain, last Saturday).

This rant is prompted by a coincidence of incidences – Derek’s delightful posting on the MoE double gaffe, my flight read of the moment (Eats Shoots and Leaves) and lots of emails reinforcing my fear that some in the education community are losing their grip on language.

The English language is a wonderful and complex thing, its effective use paints a third dimension into a two dimensional printed world. Much as British comedy is lauded for its mastery at delivering script with multiple meanings, so the learned use of the English language adds a richness and depth to conversation and the written word.

I perceive that there are two ways that a piece of writing can move us to tears or laughter. The first and noblest is by the clever use of language where a world is created around the word and our own experience is invited in with the writer’s direction to create a unique and meaningful story, a multi-dimensional vision. The second is where the writer misspells and misuses the English language in an unintentionally amusing or agonising way.

I am becoming increasingly convinced that the decline in correct usage is caused by a plain lack of reading and observation skills. I would think that if someone signed their name Bryan we would not address them as Brian, or if we passed the sign on the Principal’s door every day we would not write of them as “The Principle”. Yet it happens. Teachers are confused about their roles and rolls, plurals are mistakenly apostrophised and apostrophes indicating possession are totally confused and confusing.

In an age where near enough is good enough in literacy we still need to turn out programmers, engineers, accountants, doctors and sign writers whose jobs demand accuracy and care.

And if you can’t see what’s wrong with this picture – you really need Spellodrome!