I was recently asked if I was a Grammar Nazi, I caught the idea but the expression was totally new for me, so I made my research and the online Urban Dictionary was my ally:
Grammar Nazi: (these are three entries out of many, many more)
- A person who uses proper grammar at all times, especially online in emails, chatrooms, instant messages and webboard posts; a proponent of grammatical correctnes. Often one who spells correctly as well.
- A person who believes proper grammar (and spelling) should be used by everyone whenever possible.
- A captious individual who cannot resist the urge to correct a spelling and/or grammar mistake even in informal settings. After pointing out the linguistic shortcomings in others, a Grammar Nazi feels a strange sense of twisted and unconstructive intelligentsia delight.
What do you, translators, think about it? Are you Grammar Nazis? Do any of the definitions suit you? (By the way, if you spot a grammar/spelling mistake, please feel free to correct me).
Interesting point! Actually, this Grammar Nazi expression is new to me as well. I agree with your viewpoint, and consider a proper grammar should be used whenever it is needed. Also, people should speak correctly, as they are members of certain cultural community, and their lenguages should be enriched. Lidia, do you agree?
ResponderEliminarYou're right Jorge, people should speak correctly as well, take care of their languages and teach their kids to do the same. However, I do think we can be a little more informal with close friends, what do you think about it?
EliminarI heard the term before and I know someone who is a total Grammar Nazi. She is not someone who would help you improve, but someone who is going to point out every mistake just because she knows is wrong. I think we should try to be somewhere in the middle. We have to try and use proper grammar and language at all times, but we should learn how to help others improve because if they do not feel we are helping; people would be offended like Robert wrote, it depends on the person.
ResponderEliminarHi Lidia, thank you for your post, I learned a new term, I like to write in a proper way even when I use social networks, before I wrote in a terrible way when I used it, now I am careful with that. And it is true that there are people who think they know anything and they don't want to be corrected. Grammar it is important.
ResponderEliminarWow, it is the first time I heard about, but sometimes I am a really Grammar Nazi, immediately notice the mistakes. But it is not a value, believe me! sometimes it rises on troubles with people who don´t like be corrected. We have to be in the middle, not be extremist.
ResponderEliminarHi Lidia. Interesting article.
ResponderEliminarI consider myself a Grammar Nazi because following established rules can avoid a misunderstandings even in informal settings. If we want to have really clear communication we must use rules as much as we can.