Y’know what? Sometimes, Word’s grammar checker really bugs me. Especially when it decides to not only give awful-sounding suggestions, but to be politically correct about it to boot. Seriously. Do not tell me that I ought to say “humanity” or “humankind” instead of “mankind.” I am perfectly capable of deciding which sounds best in the context of what I am writing. I do realize that no generalization including the word “man” is PC, and you know something? I don’t care. And since I’m a woman myself, I think I oughta have just a little say in what words should or should not bother me. *growls*
Oh, I’m quite aware of what’s considered all correct these days, and I am capable of writing and editing accordingly when the job requires. But I get really, really sick of hyper-PC-ness that is required in our phraseology these days. Yeah, I do see why some of it is desirable, but seriously… So much of it just sounds so bad or awkward or silly. Something in me revolts at the idea of using elaborate, meaningless phrases or intentionally writing something awkward, just out of paranoia that someone may be insulted.
Honestly, I really, truly, don’t want to insult or hurt people. Seriously, anyone who knows me probably knows that I can actually be ridiculously paranoid about it at times. But I think sometimes, over things like this… people just want an opportunity to be insulted. I want to be sensitive, yes, but can we PLEASE be sensible as well? And I guess as both an editor and an artist, it irks me when people start making rules for writing that have nothing to do either with clarifying one’s meaning or with what sounds good. *huff*
And now that I’ve finished that little rant, a vaguely related but quite random aside: I’ve come to realize that I greatly overuse ellipses in casual communication. I’m addicted to the things. I also have a definite weakness for dashes. It’s a sad thing, really.
Oh well. Could be worse, I suppose. I could be addicted to semicolons. Now there’s a dangerous thing. Some people can’t go more ‘n half a page without using one, you know. Perilous things, semicolons. Gotta be careful about getting yourself mixed up with ‘em.
And some people think the life of an editor is dull. It’s littered with pitfalls, let me tell you….
Yeah, I'm in a weird mood. I'm nervous, 'cause karate promotions are tonight, and I'd reeeally like to make it to the next belt, and I Can. Not. seem to write today. Must go and try some more. *marches off*