A language is a powerful tool that allows people to capture and put across thoughts and ideas either orally or in written formats. Language is a crucial aspect as it allows for the formation of interpersonal relationships and fosters connections among people. However, it is important to note that the language that one is using ought to be aligned to semantics, and syntactic provisions. People's language, whether written or spoken seems to be a criterion on which people base someone's ability to communicate. As an individual working in the Marines Corps, I understand what it means to have language proficiency being the basis for hiring. Before joining the Marine Corps, I applied twice before being accepted and I wondered why considering that I had the requisite skills. I discussed the issue with my friend who works at a human resource department and he informed me that employers scrutinize resumes for grammatical errors. He checked my resume and confirmed that it had so many errors, which could be the reason for the rejection of my application. I corrected the errors and sure enough, my application was accepted. I concluded that employers focus more on the resumes to establish whether the people they are hiring have excellent or poor language skills. Individuals with excellent language skills tend to attract more respect and are more likely to be considered for job positions as compared to those with poor language skills. Poor grammar tends to be associated with low intelligence, lack of refinement and sloppiness while excellent grammar is associated with authority since such individuals speak clearly and unambiguously. In this case, the ability to communicate with others efficiently increases one's relationships.
Language has a way of defining one's personal and professional life, depending on how on one's language skills. The professional world requires individuals to have excellent language skills to enhance customers' relations as well as improve performance. McWhoter (2012) asserts that the people who are hiring assuming that individuals with poor grammar skills are not smart and thus cannot pay attention to detail. A resume is an individual's first impression and can inform potential employers regarding one's language skills even before they meet the applicant. A resume that is full of grammatical errors establishes that the applicant is not keen on small details and that trend could e transferred to the workplace. Moreover, such a resume sends a clear message to potential employers that the applicant is too lazy to proofread the resume and refine it. Looking at the scenario, one can establish that language yields so much power since it informs the recruitment process. In this case, job applicants must ensure that their resumes are free of grammatical errors if they have to make a formidable impression on potential employers.
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Technological advancement has changed how people use language with most people relying on smartphones and computers to correct their grammatical errors. The overreliance on technological gadgets has its complications, as it is moving people from conventional proper English rules. The situation is made worse by an overreliance on short forms to communicate with emojis and contractions topping the list of common modern forms of writing. Challenger (2012) establishes that an overreliance on shortcuts, especially by teenagers, is threatening to alter conventional grammar and punctuation rules. At this point, one cannot help but wonder if a language is slowly losing its power, as it is no longer taken seriously. It is possible that in the coming years, individuals will not be tied to grammatical rules and would use language as they wish. I think that people are taking grammatical shortcuts to save on space, especially companies, which want to advertise products with companies that charge by the number of characters. There is a need to ensure that this scenario does not occur by there being insistence on proper language use by employers and the society to ensure that language maintains its power.
Language plays a crucial role in connecting people, especially if they are on the same level of proficiency, which is defined by knowledge of grammatical rules. Individuals who are on the same grammatical level can express their thoughts and present ideas effectively. On the other hand, individuals who are on different syntactic levels cannot possibly understand one another, and it could cause conflicts and misunderstanding. Haussamen (2012) proposes that mastery of grammar is crucial since it helps people to develop written and spoken language. This proposition is indicative of the need to stick to grammatical provisions, as it would be hard to have a language if no rules are guiding its usage. The problem occurs when people disregard the importance of grammar as the foundation of language and instead find ways of replacing it with signs and abbreviations. A disregard for language mechanics threatens to threaten languages and push them to extinction. It would be unfortunate if the society continues to replace proper English language rules with shortcuts, as this would translate to a language that has no power. It would be better if there were an insistence on creating a distinction between formal and informal language to ensure that language maintains its power.
Writing is a fundamental and essential skill that allows individuals to communicate effectively and unambiguously. Individuals with excellent writing skills demonstrate not only professionalism but also organization and authority. These people can use language to influence others to act in a particular way, especially if the language is persuasive. Modern employers are looking for individuals who can help companies to capture and express their objectives, visions, and missions clearly and persuade customers (Rushkoff, 2013). This assertion is indicative of a corporate world that understands that langue has the power to influence others, especially if it is presented clearly. Customers and stakeholders rely on various factors before they render their support and loyalty to businesses and companies with the language being one of them. A company whose adverts contain grammatical and punctuation errors send a negative message to potential customers. These customers cannot help but wonder why these companies cannot pay attention to minor details. Poor language tends to push customers away since they cannot trust such companies to provide the services they claim to offer. It is against this background that companies do all they can to ensure that their employees have proper grammatical skills.
Language as a way of communication can influence how people relate or connect depending on whether it follows semantic, morphological, and syntactic guidelines. If appropriately used, language can have so much power that it influences others to engage in the desired actions. People with excellent language skills are sought after by companies, which are operating in a competitive environment. Employers use resumes to judge whether applicants posse the required language skills or not. Resumes with grammatical errors indicate sloppiness, low intelligence, lack of refinement and inattention to detail. On the other hand, resumes that well-structured and organized without grammatical errors are indicative of individuals who can articulate companies’ objectives clearly. Technological advancement has contributed to the dilution of language by providing room for shortcuts such as emojis and symbols. If nothing is done to avert this issue, it is clear that language s we know will lose its power and functionality. However, this does not need to happen if the society does all it can to preserve its language from becoming extinct. Teachers and employers have a responsibility to insist that students and job applicants respectively demonstrate high levels of grammatical knowledge. In this way, the language will continue to yield power as a tool that influences others as well as allows personal and professional relationships to thrive.
References
Challenger, J. A. (2012, August 13). Consider the candidate and the position. New York Times . https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/08/13/is-our-children-learning-enough-grammar-to-get-hired/consider-the-candidate-and-the-position
Haussamen, B. (2012, August 13). What good writing indicates, and doesn't. New York Times . https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/08/13/is-our-children-learning-enough-grammar-to-get-hired/what-good-writing-indicates-and-doesnt
McWhorter, J. (2012, August 13). The opinion pages/room for debate / good applicants with bad grammar. New York Times . https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/08/13/is-our-children-learning-enough-grammar-to-get-hired/good-applicants-with-bad-grammar
Rushkoff, D. (2013, January 30). It's not just grammar; it's clear thinking. New York Times . https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/08/13/is-our-children-learning-enough-grammar-to-get-hired/it
