LAS LENGUAS INGLESA Y ESPAÑOLA de Delfín Carbonell

  Yesterday, Telemadrid did it again. Truth be told, this should not surprise me, because Spanish television in general shows a low regard for the official language of Spain. In the program “120 minutos” we read: “Anboto, exdirigente de ETA condenada por participar en quince asesinatos, sale de prisión entre la indignación de las víctimas.” “Entre” for “ante.” And “las víctimas” should more properly be “los allegados de las víctimas.” Let them kick grammar and usage around as much as they like—Spain is, after all, still a democracy—but we should try our darndest to speak and write well. Right?

LinkedIn shows language at its worst, and no one is doing anything about it. With no Manual of Style in either English or Spanish, it has become a language cesspool. Recently I wrote the following which immediately had 170 views but only 3 "likes." " My remarks may often picture me as a naysayer or faultfinder, but I am simply trying to make people realize that grammar, punctuation, word order and clarity matter. These are relaxed times, I know, but the way we wrap up our thoughts says a lot about ourselves, and I notice that plenty who “publish” in LinkedIn do not seem to care. Please, have a heart and respect readers. And those working at LinkedIn are the worst, the real culprits. I am chagrined to have to write this."