A large part of the Cuban population does not yet fully and systematically access the goodness and usefulness of digital technology, the prices of which remain harsh to many. However, even drop by drop, a boom in the Creole presence in the utilitarian spaces of the Internet and in its choices of opinion and entertainment is noticeable. Many matters stem from this presence.
One topic of constant debate is spelling. Although audiovisual or audio-only materials are published in multiple spaces, written communication still has great prominence throughout the web fabric. Hence, calls to write well, to express themselves in the most correct way possible and even the existence of sites where spelling rules and words, verbs, conjugations and other orientations are displayed, abound in networks.
Needless to say, a language like the one we share, enjoy, or even suffer some, has a very high level of complexity in not a few of its aspects. Even professionals, and this scribe is not ashamed to say (quite the opposite), we often need to go to the “dust killer” to clarify a meaning, fine-tune a synonym or adjust the syntax and coherence of a sentence. For those of us who work directly with the castiza language as a tool and, in general, for anyone who communicates in writing through their language, it is essential to have a mastery, at least elementary, of its main rules. It’s not just about respecting the profession or that same language, it’s about respecting the neighbor who reads to us.
That’s why I found a text I saw on social media very striking. One person criticized, with some exaltation and even aggressiveness, those who in turn criticize the bad spelling of many web users.
On the one hand, and sometimes we forget that in our country, not everyone who writes on a website has enough level of instruction. In Cuba, with almost illiterate and with a population largely exceeding the twelfth grade, there should be much better language profature. Known is that there is no, but missed spelling more or less, the common of mortals is “defended” and communicated. However, both here and elsewhere, where education has different characteristics to Creole, there are still people who access the networks and unfortunately have no idea what they write.
This, of course, is no reason for mockery or cruel shrinks that we sometimes see on certain pages and comments. However, it is also no cause for praise. Much less, in the name of some strange defense or that christened as a crystal sensibility (those characters whose sensibility is offended by everything and by all in digital premises), such an event must be taken as a platform to criticize those who write well or those who, correctly and without offense, draw attention to certain spelling faults and errors. By the work and grace of those rare vericuetos of thought that sometimes take unusual force in the nets, now knowledge is like a kind of sin and the educated are the wrong ones. Studying is wrong. Writing well is a petulance and calling the order and good use of the language is an impertinence. Therefore, the ignorant are a kind of unhappy to which we must allow any dismanm.
Because, under that aegis, we should also begin to forgive the horrific translations of some of the subtitles of our television (often generated by machines that speak worse than Tarzan and are unable to conjugate a verb). Journalists, and by mimicry many others later (presenters, leaders, occasional speakers), should continue to use, until inventing, non-existent verbs such as “opening” or “intentional” or the known and worn out synthages referring to “sweet grass” or “aromatic grain”, among others. Thus, not only the language is abused, but the knowledge and intelligence of the viewers. Not to mention the possible negative influence on, here yes, ignorant bastard who assumes that, if it says so on television, it is well said. And he’ll learn it or he’ll repeat it wrong.
I do not believe that any ignorance is applaudable, nor is it a sign of appreciable qualities or must generate respect for those who suffer it (you have to respect the human being just for being, but not because he is ignorant). Such deficiencies are not healed by criticizing critics, although the possible bad way of criticizing, let alone doing loas to the lack of knowledge. Thus, suddenly the ignorant is then a poor misunderstood by the cruel son of a, and everything must be forgiven.
While often an uneded person is not guilty of his limitations, there are also several ways to articulate decent text today. It is not so complex to go to the use of digital correctors (they don’t have all the solutions, but they are a palliative) or just use a dictionary. If a person writes to networks, some domain and access has such tools. If you are a professional whose work impacts thousands or millions of people, then you will overcome or expel the boss who reviews it before publishing.
Not knowing, we repeat, is no reason to mock or humiliate another human being, but it is also no reason for applause and overly lenient attitude towards those who do not know or aggressive towards those who point and correct a slip. Ignorance is not, and will never be, commendable. Ω
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