Focus: Death of grammar

16:40 Gulf News: Grammar is pointless because language is about communication.

16:42 Samina Kausar: I disagree because grammar provides meaning to communication. A good grammar results in a clear message to the person whom you are talking to. Grammatical mistakes lead to confusion and ambiguity. Especially in a scenario where giving orders from an employer to an employee are concerned, then grammar becomes vital.

16:44 Archana Sen: I agree. While communicating via our phones in the form of sending text messages, minimum grammar is needed. There is no need to follow grammatical rules. If we focus too much on grammar, we become distracted from the core matter.

16:46 Wasif Ahmad: I disagree as without grammar, you can’t speak proper English and in turn, it becomes difficult to express what you want to say.

16:47 Mala Anil: It is fine in an informal message, but in a formal world, correct grammar is essential.

16:47 Samina Kausar: Communication is possible without being grammatically correct, but the messages may not be clear. You need more confirmations and queries to get the correct instruction.

16:49 Wasif Ahmad: So, Archana, when you use your phone you don’t have to be concerned about correct grammar? That’s not right as we are then damaging the language. Therefore, we have to change our mindset regarding grammar. Every time we speak a certain language, we have to use it properly. Otherwise, this will reflect badly on the next generation.

16:49 Samina Kausar: I agree with Wasif, if grammar was not an essential part of communication, then the time we spent in learning it at school would be a waste.

16:53 Archana Sen: Different countries have different types of sentence constructions. However, people can still understand each other, even without proper grammar.

16:54 Wasif Ahmad: Language is about finding a way to communicate that suits your purpose and people will find a way to express themselves, regardless of whether they are technically correct. Communication is about being functional and if you cannot make yourself understood, you should work at it until you are.

16:54 Gulf News: When the educational process shifted from depth of content to person, quality dipped.

16:55 Samina Kausar: I agree as the educational system is the backbone of the civilisation of a nation, therefore it needs to be taken into consideration. The knowledge, thoughts and experience a person gets in an educational institute leads our personal and professional lives.

16:58 Archana Sen: In an educational process, grammar should be taught in a practical way and not only based on statements.

17:01 Mala Anil: I disagree because education nowadays is not just scholastic development. Rather, it aims at the individual being an all rounder.

17:04 Samina Kausar: The quality of an educational system is a must; there is no doubt about it. The syllabus should be updated and fulfil the needs of vocational experience. However. the person studying and his or her interest and desire to learn is also critical. If the learner does not want to study the content, the instructor cannot force that, as it will cause a dip in the quality.

17:05 Mala Anil: What good is an individual who can score 99 per cent in school, but is unable to face the world?

17:07 Wasif Ahmad: Quality of education is definitely necessary and we should not compromise on that.

17:09 Gulf News: Grammar is vital because it is the start of thinking.

17:11 Samina Kausar: I agree. Grammar is vital because it gives meaning to your conversation. You can give words to your thoughts, you can express your feelings much better and if the use of grammar is correct. you can learn in an efficient manner.

17:12 Mala Anil: Grammar is vital, but not because it is the start of thinking. It is vital for communication. In fact, good language and correct grammar reflects and improves your personality.

17:12 Archana Sen: Language is needed to start our thinking process, but good grammar is more like a decoration to a sentence. We can express ourselves without proper grammar.

17:13 Wasif Ahmad: As we discussed previously, grammar is the backbone of language and without it, our sentences are incomplete. It is the start of our thinking

17:17 Samina Kausar: When English is taught in schools, it starts from “this is a girl”, and “that is an umbrella”. So, if grammar is not the start of thinking, why do we start with learning grammar, that is the use of “This”, “That”, “a”, an” etc.?

17:20 Archana Sen: People from around the globe are staying in the UAE and the country is running smoothly with different types of English accents. Everyone communicates with each other using their own interpretation of the English language. Many people don’t follow grammar the way it is taught in books. If we can express ourselves and communicate with others, then grammar is right.

17:21 Samina Kausar: Grammar in any language is essential for clear and unambiguous conversations.

17:22 Wasif Ahmad: We cannot deny the importance of language in this modern world. Language helps us express our thoughts and feelings, to talk, to exchange views, and interaction despite being at different locations. Furthermore, in countries where English is considered the main language, it is playing a vital role when applying for jobs. Hence, we can predict that English language will continue to develop and bring us more advantages in the near future; and, maybe someday, English will be the only language in the world.

Facebook comments:

I believe it is a bit of both. Grammar and proper sentence structure is of the utmost importance. It is something required in the business world and is certainly something that should always be taught in schools across the world. With that being said, language and communication, like anything else in the world, is constantly evolving. In many cases I do see it necessary to sacrifice grammar for ease of communication.

From Mr David Williamson

Dubai

Grammar forms an integral part of language. Even though people are able to speak with each other and understand, without grammar how do they function in written communication in the workplace? People do not know how to spell let alone use correct grammar. If this is allowed to go on what will the next generation be like?

From Mr Gloria Butler

Dubai

Grammar disappears when you trust native speakers just for the sake of being natives to teach... many examples are available, not everybody though.

From Mr Jamie C Alvarez

Abu Dhabi

A serious modern-day tragedy. If grammar was irrelevant as language is more about communication then from the invention language it wouldn’t have been important. But, it’s serious and worrying factor across the globe - destroying the nature, foundation, fundamentals and beauty of languages.

From Mr Ashiq Ariejeel

Sharjah

- Compiled by Donia Jenabzadeh/Community Web Editor