There are
many rules of writing and grammar that i think are bullshit. One of them that constantly bugs me is capitalizing
the letter I when referring to myself. This seems to me conceited and self-absorbed and
feels like i am trying to bring attention to myself – and it means i have to
hold down the shift key in the middle of a sentence.
It is all
right to begin a sentence with a capital, even if it is an I, as that denotes a
new thought, just as a period or other punctuation denotes a completion of that
thought.
Writing,
like speaking, should be personalized to the individual. We are not clones. We don’t speak the same, we don’t think the
same; so why should we write the same? We write to transmit what we are thinking to someone else, and as long as it serves that function it is good writing.
God damn i - Why do i still feel i need to capitalize my name or avatar.
the Ol'Buzzard
in that the hard and fast rules of grammar, You and i had pounded into us are quickly losing the battle with AOL-ese and Twitter speak, i am actually trying to do a better job with my grammar. i hate the new abbreviated 130 character world that seems to be taking over.
ReplyDeleteThat said, We are indeed not clones and You can and should write anyway that You want. Being understood is the first priority.
i don't need no fecking grammar rules..
ReplyDeletei don't know. the mohave rat.....
ReplyDeleteTo capitalize or not to capitalize, That Is The Question now. Ever read anything by bell hooks? If I recall my feminist theory correctly (and I probably don't), hooks viewed capitalization as a tool of oppression. I'd Google hooks to find out for sure, but I haven't had enough caffeine yet this morning to be that ambitious.
ReplyDeleteAnother one who never capitalizes her name is k.d. lang. I don't know if that's due to feminism or buddhism (lack of ego etc.)
ReplyDeleteUse Word. The I will capitalize itself. I think German capitalizes ALL nouns? The purpose of writing is to have the reader understand what you want them to understand. Grammar helps and the rules of grammar change with time and usage. Keep slugging away, maybe one day the i will no longer be capitalized
ReplyDelete