LANGUAGE: THE ULTIMATE FREEDOM

 

Those of us who live in democracies often raise the banner of "freedom" against those unfortunate ones who live under dictatorships. But we forget that if we jaywalk, we get a fine. If we forget to file our tax returns, we will end up in jail. Do not exceed the speed limit because you´ll be ticketed. Do not park on the wrong side of the street because you´ll be tagged. All taxes must be paid, or else. I can go on endlessly. The conceit of evading "citizen responsibility" is always lurking in our minds... but we must beware because all that glitters (democratic freedoms) is not gold. 

But we do have the ultimate freedom, the freedom that, if transgressed, will carry no penalties. The freedom of language: to destroy it, to misuse it, to torture it, to vilify it, to transgress it into oblivion... and nothing happens. Governments also have that freedom. They have the liberty to issue statements, laws, threats, proclamations with errors, faulty grammar, incomprehensible syntax, inappropriate wording, non sequiturs and they are none the worse for it. 

So, do not worry too much if your English or Spanish is not up to par. It´s ok. Only your peers may frown, but nothing else will happen. It´s the ultimate (possibly the only) true liberty we all have.